Johnstone, MJ (Johnstone, M. -J.) Journal impact factors: implications for the nursing profession INTERNATIONAL NURSING REVIEW, 54 (1): 35-40 MAR 2007

[Eugene Garfield]

E-mail Address: megan.johnstone at rmit.edu.au 

Author(s): Johnstone, MJ (Johnstone, M. -J.) 

Title: Journal impact factors: implications for the nursing profession 

Source: INTERNATIONAL NURSING REVIEW, 54 (1): 35-40 MAR 2007 

Language: English 

Document Type: Article 

Author Keywords: journal impact factors; nursing; publishing; research; 
scholarship 

Keywords Plus: QUALITY; CITATIONS; SCIENCE; COUNTS; LINK 

Abstract: Background: The journal impact factor (IF) has become widely 
used as an absolute measure of the quality of professional journals. It is 
also increasingly used as a tool for measuring the academic performance of 
researchers and to inform decisions concerning the appointment and tenure 
of academic staff as well as the viability of their departments/schools. 
In keeping with these IF-related trends, nurse researchers and faculty the 
world over are being increasingly expected to publish only in journals 
that have a high IF and to abandon all other forms of publishing 
(including books and book chapters) that do not attract IF rankings.

Issues: The IF obsession is placing in jeopardy the sustainability and 
hence viability of nursing journals and academic nursing publication lists 
(academic texts). If nurse authors abandon their publishing agenda and 
publish only in 'elite' journals (many of which may be outside nursing), 
the capacity of the nursing profession to develop and control the cutting 
edge of its disciplinary knowledge could be placed at risk.

Actions: Other means for assessing the quality and impact of nursing 
journals need to be devised. In addition, other works (such as books and 
book chapters) need also to be included in quality metrics. Nurse authors 
and journal editors must work together and devise ways to ensure the 
sustainability and viability of nursing publications.
 
Addresses: RMIT Univ, Div Nursing & Midwifery, Sch Hlth Sci, Bundoora, 
Vic, Australia 

Reprint Address: Johnstone, MJ, RMIT Univ, Div Nursing & Midwifery, Sch 
Hlth Sci, POB 71, Melbourne, Vic 3083, Australia. 

E-mail Address: megan.johnstone at rmit.edu.au 

Cited Reference Count: 41 

Times Cited: 1 

Publisher: BLACKWELL PUBLISHING 

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

ISSN: 0020-8132 

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