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Journal impact factor: A valid symbol of journal quality?

Author

Listed:
  • Rob Law

    (The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hong Kong)

  • Daniel Leung

    (The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hong Kong)

Abstract

As the citation frequency of a journal is a representation of how many people have read and acknowledged their works, academia generally shares the notion that impact factor and citation data signify the quality and importance of a journal to the discipline. Although this notion is well-entrenched, is it reasonable to deduce that a journal is not of good quality due to its lower impact factor? Do journal impact factors truly symbolize the quality of a journal? What must be noted when we interpret journal impact factors? This commentary article discusses these questions and their answers thoroughly.

Suggested Citation

  • Rob Law & Daniel Leung, 2020. "Journal impact factor: A valid symbol of journal quality?," Tourism Economics, , vol. 26(5), pages 734-742, August.
    • Handle: RePEc:sae:toueco:v:26:y:2020:i:5:p:734-742
    DOI: 10.1177/1354816619845590
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

    1. Shahd Al-Janabi & Lee Wei Lim & Luca Aquili, 2021. "Development of a tool to accurately predict UK REF funding allocation," Scientometrics, Springer;Akadémiai Kiadó, vol. 126(9), pages 8049-8062, September.

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