Scientometrics
Volume/Issue:
Volume 92: Issue 2
The pragmatics of a diachronic journal impact factor
Author:
Peter Ingwersen Department of Library Science and Documentation, University Carlos III Madrid, Calle Madrid, 126, 28903 Getafe, Madrid, Spain
Royal School of Library and Information Science, Birketinget 6, 2300 Copenhagen S, Denmark

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Pages:
319–324
Online Publication Date:
24 Mar 2012
Publication Date:
01 Aug 2012
Article Category:
Research Article
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.1007/s11192-012-0701-1
Keywords:
Journal impact factor; Diachronic impact factor; Synchronous JIF
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Abstract

With reference to Vanclay (Scientometrics in press, 2012) the paper argues for a pragmatic approach to the Thomson-Reuter's journal impact factor. The paper proposes and discusses to replace the current synchronous Thomson-Reuter journal impact factor by an up-to-date diachronic version (DJIF), consisting of a three-year citation window over a one year publication window. The DJIF online data collection and calculation is exemplified and compared to the present synchronous journal impact factor. The paper discusses briefly the dimensions of currency, robustness, understandability and comparability to other impact factors used in research evaluation.

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  • Vanclay, J. K. (2012). Impact factor: Outdated artefact or stepping-stone to journal certification? Scientometrics (in press).

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Cover Scientometrics
Scientometrics
Print ISSN:
0138-9130
Online ISSN:
1588-2861

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Scientometrics
Language English
Size B5
Year of
Foundation		 1978
Volumes
per Year		 1
Issues
per Year		 12
Founder Akadémiai Kiadó
Founder's
Address		 H-1117 Budapest, Hungary 1516 Budapest, PO Box 245.
Publisher Akadémiai Kiadó
Springer Nature Switzerland AG
Publisher's
Address		 H-1117 Budapest, Hungary 1516 Budapest, PO Box 245.
CH-6330 Cham, Switzerland Gewerbestrasse 11.
Responsible
Publisher		 Chief Executive Officer, Akadémiai Kiadó
ISSN 0138-9130 (Print)
ISSN 1588-2861 (Online)

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