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Impact factor: Imperfect but not yet replaceable

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  • Stuart Brody

    (University of the West of Scotland)

Abstract

A recent critique of the use of journal impact factors (IF) by Vanclay noted imprecision and misuses of IF. However, the substantial alternatives he suggested offer no clear improvement over IF as a single measure of scholarly impact of a journal, leaving IF as not yet replaceable.

Suggested Citation

  • Stuart Brody, 2013. "Impact factor: Imperfect but not yet replaceable," Scientometrics, Springer;Akadémiai Kiadó, vol. 96(1), pages 255-257, July.
    • Handle: RePEc:spr:scient:v:96:y:2013:i:1:d:10.1007_s11192-012-0863-x
    DOI: 10.1007/s11192-012-0863-x
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Henk F. Moed & Lisa Colledge & Jan Reedijk & Felix Moya-Anegon & Vicente Guerrero-Bote & Andrew Plume & Mayur Amin, 2012. "Citation-based metrics are appropriate tools in journal assessment provided that they are accurate and used in an informed way," Scientometrics, Springer;Akadémiai Kiadó, vol. 92(2), pages 367-376, August.
    2. David A. Pendlebury & Jonathan Adams, 2012. "Comments on a critique of the Thomson Reuters journal impact factor," Scientometrics, Springer;Akadémiai Kiadó, vol. 92(2), pages 395-401, August.
    3. Peter Jacso, 2012. "Grim tales about the impact factor and the h-index in the Web of Science and the Journal Citation Reports databases: reflections on Vanclay’s criticism," Scientometrics, Springer;Akadémiai Kiadó, vol. 92(2), pages 325-354, August.
    4. A. I. Pudovkin & Eugene Garfield, 2012. "Rank normalization of impact factors will resolve Vanclay’s dilemma with TRIF," Scientometrics, Springer;Akadémiai Kiadó, vol. 92(2), pages 409-412, August.
    5. Tibor Braun & Wolfgang Glänzel & András Schubert, 2006. "A Hirsch-type index for journals," Scientometrics, Springer;Akadémiai Kiadó, vol. 69(1), pages 169-173, October.
    6. Jerome K. Vanclay, 2012. "Impact factor: outdated artefact or stepping-stone to journal certification?," Scientometrics, Springer;Akadémiai Kiadó, vol. 92(2), pages 211-238, August.
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    Cited by:

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    3. Noella Edelmann & Judith Schoßböck, 2020. "Open Access Perceptions, Strategies, and Digital Literacies: A Case Study of a Scholarly-Led Journal," Publications, MDPI, vol. 8(3), pages 1-22, September.
    4. Adriana Bin & Sergio Salles-Filho & Luiza Maria Capanema & Fernando Antonio Basile Colugnati, 2015. "What difference does it make? Impact of peer-reviewed scholarships on scientific production," Scientometrics, Springer;Akadémiai Kiadó, vol. 102(2), pages 1167-1188, February.
    5. Svetla Baykoucheva, 2019. "Eugene Garfield’s Ideas and Legacy and Their Impact on the Culture of Research," Publications, MDPI, vol. 7(2), pages 1-12, June.
    6. Sriwannawit, Pranpreya & Sandström, Ulf, 2013. "Review of Diffusion Research," INDEK Working Paper Series 2013/1, Royal Institute of Technology, Department of Industrial Economics and Management.

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