Rousseau R. Journal evaluation: Technical and practical issues. LIBRARY TRENDS 50 (3): 418-439 WIN 2002

Eugene Garfield garfield at CODEX.CIS.UPENN.EDU
Mon Aug 26 12:41:41 EDT 2002


Ronald Rousseau: ronald.rousseau at pandora.be

Title     Journal evaluation: Technical and practical issues
Author      Rousseau R
Journal     LIBRARY TRENDS 50 (3): 418-439 WIN 2002

 Document type: Article    Language: English
 Cited References: 80      Times Cited: 1


Abstract:
THIS ESSAY PROVIDES AN OVERVIEW of journal evaluation indicators. It
highlights the strengths and weaknesses of different indicators, together
with their range of applicability. The definition of a "quality journal,"
different notions of impact factors, the meaning of ranking journals, and
possible biases in citation databases are also discussed. Attention is given
to using the journal impact in evaluation studies.

The quality of a journal is a multifaceted notion. Journals can be evaluated
for different purposes, and hence the results of such evaluation exercises
can be quite different depending on the indicator(s) used. The impact
factor, in one of its versions, is probably the most used indicator when it
comes to gauging the visibility of a journal on the research front.
Generalized impact factors, over periods longer than the traditional two
years, are better indicators for the long-term value of a journal. As With
all evaluation studies, care must be exercised when considering journal
impact factors as a quality indicator. It seems best to use a whole battery
of indicators (including several impact factors) and to change this group of
indicators depending on the purpose of the evaluation study. Nowadays it
goes without saying that special attention is paid to e-journals and
specific indicators for this type of journal.

KeyWords Plus:
SCIENCE CITATION DATABASE, IMPACT FACTORS, SCIENTIFIC JOURNALS,
INFORMATION-SCIENCE, BIBLIOMETRIC DATA, LIBRARY,
INDEX, PUBLICATIONS, OBSOLESCENCE, RELIABILITY

Addresses:
Rousseau R, KHBO, Dept Ind Sci & Technol, Zeedijk 101, B-8400 Oostende,
Belgium
KHBO, Dept Ind Sci & Technol, B-8400 Oostende, Belgium

Publisher:
GSLIS PUBLICATIONS, CHAMPAIGN

IDS Number:
565MM

ISSN:
0024-2594


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