Impact factor
Impact Factor
The Impact Factor (pronounced: /ˈɪmpækt ˈfæktər/), also known as Journal Impact Factor (JIF), is a measure reflecting the yearly average number of citations to recent articles published in that journal. It is frequently used as a proxy for the relative importance of a journal within its field; journals with higher impact factors are often deemed to be more important than those with lower ones.
Etymology
The term "Impact Factor" was coined by Eugene Garfield, the founder of the Institute for Scientific Information (ISI). It was first introduced in the 1960s as a tool for libraries to compare the relative importance of different journals within the same field.
Calculation
The Impact Factor for a particular year is calculated as the number of citations in that year to articles published in the two preceding years, divided by the total number of 'citable items' published in those years. A 'citable item' is defined as a regular article or review.
Criticism and Controversy
Despite its widespread use, the Impact Factor has been subject to criticism. Critics argue that it is not a true measure of a journal's quality and that it can be manipulated by journal editors. Others argue that it places too much emphasis on citation counts, which can disadvantage journals in fields where citations are less common.
Related Terms
See Also
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Impact factor
- Wikipedia's article - Impact factor
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