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Characterisation of academic journals in the digital age

Author

Listed:
  • Xin Gu

    (The University of Newcastle)

  • Karen Blackmore

    (The University of Newcastle)

Abstract

Innovations in scholarly publishing have led to new possibilities for academic journals (e.g., open access), and provided scholars with a range of indicators that can be used to evaluate their characteristics and their impact. This study identifies and evaluates the journal characteristics reported in five databases: Ulrich’s Periodicals Directory (Ulrichs), Journal Citation Reports (JCR), SCImago Journal & Country Rank (SJR), Google Scholar Metrics (GS), and Cabell’s Periodical Directory (Cabells). It describes the 13 indicators (variables) that are available through these databases—scholarly impact, subject category, age, total articles, distribution medium, open access, peer review, acceptance rate, pricing, language, country, status, and issue frequency—and highlights the similarities and differences in the ways these indicators are defined and reported. The study also addresses the ways in which this kind of information can be used to better understand particular journals as well as the scholarly publishing system.

Suggested Citation

  • Xin Gu & Karen Blackmore, 2017. "Characterisation of academic journals in the digital age," Scientometrics, Springer;Akadémiai Kiadó, vol. 110(3), pages 1333-1350, March.
    • Handle: RePEc:spr:scient:v:110:y:2017:i:3:d:10.1007_s11192-016-2219-4
    DOI: 10.1007/s11192-016-2219-4
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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Academic journal; Attributes; Impact factor; Ranking; Journal age; Acceptance rate;
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    JEL classification:

    • I25 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Education - - - Education and Economic Development

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