Vinkler P. "Characterization of the impact of sets of scientific papers: The Garfield (Impact) Factor" Journal of the American Society for Information Science and Technology 55(5):431-435 March 2004

[Eugene Garfield]

PETER VINKLER : pvinkler at chemres.hu

TITLE     Characterization of the impact of sets of scientific papers:
          The Garfield (Impact) Factor
AUTHOR    Vinkler P
JOURNAL   JOURNAL OF THE AMERICAN SOCIETY FOR INFORMATION SCIENCE
          AND TECHNOLOGY 55 (5): 431-435 MAR 2004

Document type: Article     Language: English     Cited References: 18
Times Cited: 0      Explanation

Abstract:
The Garfield (impact) Factor (GF) is one of the most frequently used
scientometric indicators. In the present article it is shown that the main
factors determining the value of the mean GF representing a set of journals
are the number of articles published recently (articles referencing)
related to those published in a previous time period (articles to be
referenced) and the mean number of references in journal papers referring
to the time period selected. It has been proved further that GF corresponds
to the mean chance for citedness of journal papers. A new indicator,
Specific Impact Contribution (SIC), is introduced, which characterizes the
contribution of a subset of articles or a journal to the total impact of
the respective articles or journals. The SIC index relates the share of a
journal in citations divided by that in publications within a set of papers
or journals appropriately selected. It is shown, however, that the
normalized GFs of journals and the normalized SIC indicators are identical
measures within any set of journals selected. It may be stated therefore
that Garfield Factors of journals (calculated correctly) are appropriate
scientometric measures for characterizing the relative international
eminence of journals within a set of journals appropriately selected. It is
demonstrated further that SIC indicators (and so GF indexes) correspond to
the (number of citations per paper) indicators generally used, within the
same set of papers.

Excerpt from paper ...
"CONCLUSIONS
>From the results presented herein it follows that the Garfield (Impact)
Factor (GF) should not be assumed as the mean citedness of papers of a
given journal. On the contrary, the Garfield (Impact) Factor of a journal
measures the relative contribution of the journal to the total impact of
journals devoted to the respective scientific field. Consequently, GF
characterizes the information channel (the journal) as an entity and does
not characterize the mean paper therein.

>From the results presented it can be concluded that the Garfield (impact)
Factor (GF) can be assumed as a measure of chance for citedness, and is
determined primarily by the rate of the relative growth of publications and
the mean number of references.

Theoretically, no scientometric elements more appropriate than citations
and papers can be offered by scientometrics for characterizing the
international impact of scientific journals. The share of a journal or a
subset of papers in citations divided by the respective share in papers
(Specific Impact Contribution; SIC) within a set of journals (or papers)
selected seems to be an appropriate measure for characterizing the relative
standing of a journal or a subset of papers within the respective set.

Thus, it has been proved that normalized Garfield Factors and normalized
Specific Impact Contributions are identical measures. [The normalization
can be made to the mean GF (or SIC, respectively) of the respective set
studied or to the mean of journals devoted to the respective field or
subfield.] Consequently, the respective ratios of GFs or SICs of the
journals are also identical. It can be stated therefore, that Garfield
Factors of journals (calculated correctly) are appropriate scientometric
measures for characterizing the relative international eminence of journals
within a set of journals appropriately selected."



KeyWords Plus:
INDICATORS, CITATION, SCIENTOMETRICS, MODEL

Addresses:
Vinkler P, Hungarian Acad Sci, Chem Res Ctr, Pusztaszeri Ut 59-67, H-1025
Budapest, Hungary
Hungarian Acad Sci, Chem Res Ctr, H-1025 Budapest, Hungary

Publisher:
JOHN WILEY & SONS INC, 111 RIVER ST, HOBOKEN, NJ 07030 USA

IDS Number:
777ZK

ISSN:
1532-2882

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 EGGHE L               J INFORM SCI                  22       165      1996
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 GARFIELD E            CITATION INDEXING TH                            1979
 GLANZEL W             SCIENTOMETRICS                53       169      2002
 KLAIC B               COLLEGIUM ANTROPOL            23       751      1999
 ROUSSEAU R            J DOC                         48        79      1992
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 SEGLEN PO             J AM SOC INFORM SCI           43       628      1992
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 VINKLER P             SCIENTOMETRICS                43       107      1998
 VINKLER P             SCIENTOMETRICS                13       239      1988