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Pros and Cons of the Impact Factor in a Rapidly Changing Digital World

Author

Listed:
  • Michael McAleer

    (Asia University, Taiwan; University of Sydney Business School, Australia; Erasmus University Rotterdam, The Netherlands)

  • Judit Olah

    (University of Debrecen, Hungary)

  • Jozsef Popp

    (University of Debrecen, Hungary)

Abstract

The purpose of the paper is to present arguments for and against the use of the Impact Factor (IF) in a rapidly changing digital world. The paper discusses the calculation of IF, as well as the pros and cons of IF. Editorial policies that affect IF are examined, and the merits of open access online publishing are presented. Scientific quality and the IF dilemma are analysed, and alternative measures of impact and quality are evaluated. The San Francisco declaration on research assessment is also discussed.

Suggested Citation

  • Michael McAleer & Judit Olah & Jozsef Popp, 2018. "Pros and Cons of the Impact Factor in a Rapidly Changing Digital World," Tinbergen Institute Discussion Papers 18-014/III, Tinbergen Institute.
    • Handle: RePEc:tin:wpaper:20180014
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Impact Factor; Quality of research; Pros and Cons; Implications; Digital world; Editorial policies; Open access online publishing; SCIE; SSCI;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • O34 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Innovation; Research and Development; Technological Change; Intellectual Property Rights - - - Intellectual Property and Intellectual Capital
    • O31 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Innovation; Research and Development; Technological Change; Intellectual Property Rights - - - Innovation and Invention: Processes and Incentives
    • D02 - Microeconomics - - General - - - Institutions: Design, Formation, Operations, and Impact

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