The Science Behind Clinical Laboratory Literature
Exploring the systematic mapping of clinical laboratory science literature and its critical role in modern healthcare diagnostics
While doctors often take the spotlight in medical dramas, a hidden world of scientific professionals works behind the scenes—clinical laboratory scientists who perform over 70% of the diagnostic testing that informs critical medical decisions 1 . These unsung heroes of healthcare work with sophisticated technology to detect leukemia in abnormal cells, identify infection-causing bacteria, and monitor cardiac enzymes during heart attacks 2 .
Clinical laboratory scientists perform the majority of diagnostic testing that informs medical decisions.
A systematic approach to identifying the core knowledge that forms the foundation of this critical medical field.
Clinical Laboratory Science (also called Medical Laboratory Science or Medical Technology) is the health profession that provides laboratory information and services needed for the diagnosis and treatment of disease 2 . These professionals don't just perform tests; they ensure quality, explain the significance of results, evaluate new methods, and study test effectiveness.
Detecting DNA markers for genetic diseases
Identifying infectious agents and pathogens
Tracking enzymes during heart attacks
Ensuring accuracy and reliability of results
Guides collection development and helps students and faculty access the most important resources.
Identifies the core journals and databases essential to their work.
Validates the scientific foundation of laboratory medicine and guides database coverage.
In 2003, a pivotal study published in the Journal of the Medical Library Association undertook the systematic mapping of clinical laboratory science literature, providing an unprecedented window into the field's knowledge structure 3 .
Researchers identified three representative "source journals" that covered all areas of clinical laboratory science rather than focusing on subspecialties.
For each source journal, the team collected every cited reference from all articles published during a three-year period.
Each reference was categorized by format, publication date, and source title.
Researchers applied Bradford's Law of Scattering to the journal citations.
The team evaluated how well the core journals were indexed in major bibliographic databases.
| Bradford Zone | Journals | Citations |
|---|---|---|
| Zone 1 (Core) | 13 | ~33% |
| Zone 2 (Medium) | 81 | ~33% |
| Zone 3 (Peripheral) | 849 | ~33% |
Just 13 core journals produced one-third of all cited literature 3 .
| Database | Coverage | Strength |
|---|---|---|
| MEDLINE | Most comprehensive | Broad coverage |
| CINAHL | Complete source coverage | All source journals |
| Other Databases | Variable | Supplemental value |
No single database provided complete coverage of the field's literature 3 .
Based on the literature mapping analysis, we can identify the crucial resources that form the foundation of clinical laboratory science research and practice.
| Resource Category | Specific Examples | Function and Significance |
|---|---|---|
| Core Journals | 13 Zone 1 titles from Bradford analysis | Disseminate the most frequently cited research in the field |
| Specialty Journals | Publications in chemistry, hematology, immunohematology, microbiology | Provide specialized knowledge for subdisciplines |
| Bibliographic Databases | MEDLINE, CINAHL, EMBASE | Enable discovery of relevant literature across journals |
| Reference Texts | "Clinical Laboratory Diagnostics" by Lothar Thomas | Compile comprehensive test information and interpretation guidance 4 |
| Professional Organizations | American Society for Clinical Laboratory Science (ASCLS) | Develop standards, provide continuing education, and advocate for the profession 5 |
Playing an increasingly critical role in driving innovation, particularly by reducing time-consuming, repetitive tasks that were historically performed by humans 6 .
Represent another growing area, with tests that detect DNA markers for genetic disorders, infectious diseases, and cancer 2 .
The systematic mapping of clinical laboratory science literature does more than create a convenient reading list—it validates the scientific maturity of the field and acknowledges its unique knowledge structure.
As clinical laboratory science continues to evolve with advancements in automation, AI, and molecular diagnostics 7 6 , the literature mapping must evolve as well. Future studies will need to account for new publication models, emerging sub-specialties, and the increasing integration of data science into laboratory medicine.
What remains constant is the vital importance of this field to healthcare—the 70% of medical decisions that depend on laboratory data 1 in turn depend on a robust scientific literature that informs and guides laboratory practice.