Oswald, AJ (Oswald, Andrew J.) An examination of the reliability of prestigious scholarly journals: Evidence and implications for decision-makers ECONOMICA, 74 (293): 21-31 FEB 2007

[Eugene Garfield]

Email Address: andrew.oswald at warwick.ac.uk

Author(s): Oswald, AJ (Oswald, Andrew J.) 

Title: An examination of the reliability of prestigious scholarly 
journals: Evidence and implications for decision-makers 

Source: ECONOMICA, 74 (293): 21-31 FEB 2007 

Language: English 

Document Type: Article 

Keywords Plus: EUROPEAN ECONOMICS; CITATIONS; SALARIES; SCIENCE; AUTHORS 

Abstract: Scientific-funding bodies are increasingly under pressure to use 
journal rankings to measure research quality. Hiring and promotion 
committees routinely hear an equivalent argument: 'this is important work 
because it is to be published in prestigious journal X'. But how 
persuasive is such an argument? This paper examines data on citations to 
articles published 25 years ago. It finds that it is better to write the 
best article published in an issue of a medium-quality journal such as the 
OBES than all four of the worst four articles published in an issue of an 
elite journal like the AER. Decision-makers need to understand this. 

Addresses: Univ Warwick, Coventry CV4 7AL, W Midlands, England 

Reprint Address: Oswald, AJ, Univ Warwick, Coventry CV4 7AL, W Midlands, 
England. 

Cited Reference Count: 26 

Times Cited: 1 

Publisher: BLACKWELL PUBLISHING 

Publisher Address: 9600 GARSINGTON RD, OXFORD OX4 2DQ, OXON, ENGLAND 

ISSN: 0013-0427 

29-char Source Abbrev.: ECONOMICA 

ISO Source Abbrev.: Economica 

Source Item Page Count: 11 

Subject Category: Economics 

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