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The multi-dimensionality of journal impact

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  • Wolfgang Glänzel

    (Katholieke Universiteit Leuven
    Hungarian Academy of Sciences)

Abstract

In recent studies the issue of the relatedness between journal impact factors and other measures of journal impact have been raised and discussed from both merely empirical and theoretical perspectives. Models of the underlying citation processes suggest distributions with two or more free parameters. Proceeding from the relation between the journals’ mean citation rate and uncitedness and the assumption of an underlying Generalised Waring Distribution (GWD) model, it is found that the journal impact factor alone does not sufficiently describe a journal’s citation impact, while a two-parameter solution appropriately reflects its main characteristics. For the analysis of highly cited publications an additional model derived from the same GWD is suggested. This approach results in robust, comprehensible and interpretable solutions that can readily be applied in evaluative bibliometrics.

Suggested Citation

  • Wolfgang Glänzel, 2009. "The multi-dimensionality of journal impact," Scientometrics, Springer;Akadémiai Kiadó, vol. 78(2), pages 355-374, February.
    • Handle: RePEc:spr:scient:v:78:y:2009:i:2:d:10.1007_s11192-008-2166-9
    DOI: 10.1007/s11192-008-2166-9
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Leo Egghe, 2008. "The mathematical relation between the impact factor and the uncitedness factor," Scientometrics, Springer;Akadémiai Kiadó, vol. 76(1), pages 117-123, July.
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    Cited by:

    1. Waltman, L. & van Eck, N.J.P., 2009. "Some Comments on Egghe’s Derivation of the Impact Factor Distribution," ERIM Report Series Research in Management ERS-2009-016-LIS, Erasmus Research Institute of Management (ERIM), ERIM is the joint research institute of the Rotterdam School of Management, Erasmus University and the Erasmus School of Economics (ESE) at Erasmus University Rotterdam.
    2. David I. Stern, 2013. "Uncertainty Measures for Economics Journal Impact Factors," Journal of Economic Literature, American Economic Association, vol. 51(1), pages 173-189, March.
    3. Henk F. Moed, 2016. "Comprehensive indicator comparisons intelligible to non-experts: the case of two SNIP versions," Scientometrics, Springer;Akadémiai Kiadó, vol. 106(1), pages 51-65, January.
    4. Moed, Henk F., 2010. "Measuring contextual citation impact of scientific journals," Journal of Informetrics, Elsevier, vol. 4(3), pages 265-277.

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