Neuberger J, Counsell C "Impact factors: uses and abuses" EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF GASTROENTEROLOGY & HEPATOLOGY 14 (3): 209-211 MAR 2002

[Eugene Garfield]

James.Neuberger at university-b.wmids.nhs.uk

TITLE Impact factors: uses and abuses
AUTHOR Neuberger J, Counsell C
JOURNAL EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF GASTROENTEROLOGY & HEPATOLOGY 14 (3): 209-211
MAR 2002

Document type: Article    Language: English
Cited References: 7       Times Cited: 0


Abstract:
Quantitative assessment of the scientific merit of journals and articles is
being used increasingly to assess and compare researchers and institutions.
The most commonly used measure is the 2 year Impact Factor, which broadly
reflects the number of times each article in the journal has been cited over
the previous 2 years.There are clear limitations to the use of such measures
- not least, Impact Factors reflect the journal not the article, vary with
time and correlate only poorly with perceived excellence. Simple comparison
of impact factors in different specialties may be misleading. Review
journals often have higher Impact Factors than those with original data.
Both authors and editors can try to manipulate journal Impact Factors.
However, despite valid concerns, Impact Factors are widely used and offer,
at present, the best simple tool for comparison of output. Like all
measures, the use of Impact Factors has to be tempered with knowledge of
their limitations and common sense used in interpreting any data based on
any analysis.

Addresses:
Neuberger J, Queen Elizabeth Hosp, Univ Hosp Birmingham NHS Trust, Res & Dev
Directorate, Birmingham B15 2TH, W Midlands, England
Queen Elizabeth Hosp, Univ Hosp Birmingham NHS Trust, Res & Dev Directorate,
Birmingham B15 2TH, W Midlands, England

Publisher:
LIPPINCOTT WILLIAMS & WILKINS, PHILADELPHIA

IDS Number:
533GA

ISSN:
0954-691X

 Cited Author            Cited Work                Volume      Page   Year

 BRUNSTEIN J           NATURE                       403       478      2000
 CAMPANARIO JM         NATURE                       408       288      2000
 FASSOULAKI A          BRIT J ANAESTH                84       266      2000
 FOSTER WR             LANCET                       346      1301      1995
 GOWRISHANKAR J        NATURE                       401       321      1999
 HANSSON S             LANCET                       346      1300      1995
 LAWRENCE S            NATURE                       411       521      2001