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Bibliometric rankings of journals based on Impact Factors: An axiomatic approach

Author

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  • Denis Bouyssou

    (LAMSADE - Laboratoire d'analyse et modélisation de systèmes pour l'aide à la décision - Université Paris Dauphine-PSL - PSL - Université Paris sciences et lettres - CNRS - Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique)

  • Thierry Marchant

    (Department of Data Analysis - UGENT - Universiteit Gent = Ghent University)

Abstract

This paper proposes an axiomatic analysis of Impact Factors when used as tools for ranking journals. This analysis draws on the similarities between the problem of comparing distribution of citations among papers and that of comparing probability distributions on consequences as commonly done in decision theory. Our analysis singles out a number of characteristic properties of the ranking based on Impact Factors. We also suggest alternative ways of using distributions of citations to rank order journals.
(This abstract was borrowed from another version of this item.)

Suggested Citation

  • Denis Bouyssou & Thierry Marchant, 2011. "Bibliometric rankings of journals based on Impact Factors: An axiomatic approach," Post-Print hal-02359815, HAL.
    • Handle: RePEc:hal:journl:hal-02359815
    DOI: 10.1016/j.joi.2010.09.001
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