Aleixandre-Benavent, R; Valderrama-Zurian, JC; Gonzalez-Alcaide, G Scientific journals impact factor: limitations and alternative indicators PROFESIONAL DE LA INFORMACION, 16 (1): 4-11 JAN-FEB 2007

[Eugene Garfield]

E-mail Address: aleixand at uv.es; juan.valderrama at uv.es; 
gregorio.gonzalez at uv.es 

Author(s): Aleixandre-Benavent, R (Aleixandre-Benavent, Rafael); 
Valderrama-Zurian, JC (Valderrama-Zurian, Juan Carlos); Gonzalez-Alcaide, 
G (Gonzalez-Alcaide, Gregorio) 

Title: Scientific journals impact factor: limitations and alternative 
indicators 

Source: PROFESIONAL DE LA INFORMACION, 16 (1): 4-11 JAN-FEB 2007 

Language: Spanish 

Document Type: Editorial Material 

Author Keywords: bibliometric indicators; impact factors; research 
assessment 

Keywords Plus: BIBLIOMETRIC INDICATORS; PATTERNS; BEHAVIOR; INDEX 

Abstract: Impact Factor measures the average number of times that articles 
published in the last two years are cited in the current year In spite of 
its limitations, the evaluation agencies of some countries like Spain use 
it in research assessment, generating a deep unease within some circles 
that consider its use inappropriate and indiscriminate. As all alternative 
to the Impact Factor of Thomson ISI, other indicators have been proposed, 
although none of them have achieved sufficient acceptance and widespread 
use to be systematically applied. Among Spanish initiatives, most notable 
are the Potential Impact Factor of The Spanish Medical Journals, developed 
by the Siniac team (Information systems and research activity indicators) 
from the Instituto de Historia de la Ciencia y Documentacion Lopez Pinero 
(Valencia, Spain), and the Indice de impacto de las revistas espanolas de 
ciencias sociales (In-Recs), developed by the EC3 research group at 
Library and Documentation department of Granada University (Spain).
 
Addresses: Inst Hist Ciencia & Documentac Lopez Pinero, Valencia 46010, 
Spain 

Reprint Address: Aleixandre-Benavent, R, Inst Hist Ciencia & Documentac 
Lopez Pinero, Avda Blasco Ibanez,15, 
Valencia 46010, Spain. 

E-mail Address: aleixand at uv.es; juan.valderrama at uv.es; 
gregorio.gonzalez at uv.es 

Cited Reference Count: 31 

Times Cited: 2 

Publisher: EPI 

Publisher Address: APARTADO 32 280, BARCELONA, 08080, SPAIN 

ISSN: 1386-6710 

29-char Source Abbrev.: PROF INF 

ISO Source Abbrev.: Prof. Inf. 

Source Item Page Count: 8 

Subject Category: Information Science & Library Science 

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