Strategies to boost citations in maxillofacial surgery literature: A meta-data science analysis

In maxillofacial surgery literature, where innovation drives advancements in techniques and patient care, citations are particularly critical. The aim of this paper is to retrospectively review the correlation between various parameters and the number of citations. This study analyzed 47,572 articles across nine high-impact journals to identify evidence-based strategies for increasing citation counts. A separate bibliographic search on citation-boosting strategies included 109 articles, of which 24 met the inclusion criteria. Statistical analyses included Pearson's correlation, odds ratios, Chi-square tests, and linear regression, performed using RStudio. Key findings indicated that articles with four authors were cited significantly more often (OR = 2.31, 95 % CI: 1.89–2.74, p < 0.001). Titles with approximately 13 words optimized visibility (p = 0.007), and articles around six pages in length balanced depth and readability (p = 0.012). Regression analyses showed that colons in titles positively influenced citation rates (β = 1.42, p < 0.001), while hyphens had a weaker or negative impact in high-impact journals (β = −0.85, p = 0.039). English was the dominant language in maxillofacial surgery literature (99.36 %). Reviews were cited 2.5 times more often than original research articles (p < 0.001). This study highlights actionable strategies to boost citations in maxillofacial surgery literature, leveraging a meta-data science approach to provide evidence-based recommendations. However, it should be clear that statistical analyses do not imply causation, and these recommendations should not be considered a definitive guide to boosting citations.