Scientific research in the modern world requires not only high quality and innovative ideas, but also an effective mechanism for their dissemination among professionals and the public. That is why choosing the right scientific journal to publish research results is an important step.
One of the main scientometric criteria that dominates the selection of a journal for publication is the impact factor.
What is the impact factor?
The Impact Factor is an indicator of the citation of a scientific journal, which was first calculated in the 1960s. In essence, IF indicates the importance and influence of a journal in its field.
The following formula is used to calculate the impact factor:
In other words, it reflects the average number of citations to articles published in a journal over a certain period, usually over the previous two years.
Journals with a high impact factor are considered to be more influential and prestigious, while journals with a low impact factor have a lesser scientific impact.
Why is the impact factor an important criterion for choosing a journal for publication?
The impact factor is an important criterion for choosing a journal for publication for several reasons:
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It reflects the scientific significance of the journal. Journals with a high impact factor publish articles that have a significant impact on the development of science.
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Increases the chances of an article being cited. Articles published in journals with a high impact factor are more likely to be cited by other scientists.
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Publication in journals with a high impact factor can help you get grants, scholarships, and other types of financial support. This is because such publications are a sign of a researcher's scientific credibility and productivity.
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Positive impact on a scientist's career. Scientists who publish their articles in journals with a high impact factor are more likely to be promoted and receive a salary increase.
It is important to note that the impact factor is not the only criterion for choosing a journal for publication. Other factors such as the peer review process, target audience, and reputation of the journal should also be considered.
Where can I find information on the impact factor of journals?
Information about the impact factor of journals can be found in the following databases:
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Web of Science is the most famous scientometric database that contains information about scientific articles, authors, journals, citations, and other indicators. The impact factor of the journals included in the Web of Science Core Collection is calculated annually and published in the Journal Citation Reports.
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Journal Citation Reports (JCR) is an annual collection that contains information on the impact factors of journals included in the Web of Science Core Collection. JCR can be purchased in printed or electronic form.
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Scopus is another large scientometric database that also contains detailed information about scientific articles, journals, and authors. Elsevier calculates the impact factor for journals included in the Scopus database.
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Google Scholar is a search engine that indexes scientific articles from various sources, including scientific journals. Google Scholar impact factors are calculated using its own methodology, which differs from the methods used by Web of Science and Scopus.
In addition, information about journal impact factors can be found on the websites of individual journals.
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