Nicolaisen, J (Nicolaisen, Jeppe); Frandsen, TF (Frandsen, Tove Faber) The Reference Return Ratio JOURNAL OF INFORMETRICS, 2 (2): 128-135 APR 2008

[Eugene Garfield]

E-mail Address: jni at db.dk; tff at db.dk 

Author(s): Nicolaisen, J (Nicolaisen, Jeppe); Frandsen, TF (Frandsen, Tove 
Faber) 

Title: The Reference Return Ratio 

Source: JOURNAL OF INFORMETRICS, 2 (2): 128-135 APR 2008 

Language: English 

Document Type: Article 

Author Keywords: journal impact measures; citation habits : citation 
dynamics; document types; journal self-citations 

Keywords Plus: CITATION ANALYSIS; SCIENTIFIC JOURNALS; IMPACT; PERSUASION 

Abstract: The paper introduces a new journal impact measure called The 
Reference Return Ratio (3R). Unlike the traditional Journal Impact Factor 
(JIF), which is based on calculations of publications and citations, the 
new measure is based on calculations of bibliographic investments 
(references) and returns (citations). A comparative study of the two 
measures shows a strong relationship between the 3R and the JIF. Yet, the 
3R appears to correct for citation habits, citation dynamics, and 
composition of document types - problems that typically are raised against 
the JIF. In addition, contrary to traditional impact measures, the 3R 
cannot be manipulated ad infinitum through journal self-citations. (C) 
2007 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved. 

Addresses: Royal Sch Library & Informat Sci, DK-2300 Copenhagen, Denmark 

Reprint Address: Nicolaisen, J, Royal Sch Library & Informat Sci, 
Birketinget 6, DK-2300 Copenhagen, Denmark. 

E-mail Address: jni at db.dk; tff at db.dk 

Cited Reference Count: 24 

Times Cited: 0 

Publisher: ELSEVIER SCIENCE BV 

Publisher Address: PO BOX 211, 1000 AE AMSTERDAM, NETHERLANDS 

ISSN: 1751-1577 

29-char Source Abbrev.: J INFORMETR 

ISO Source Abbrev.: J. Informetr. 

Source Item Page Count: 8 

Subject Category: Information Science & Library Science 

ISI Document Delivery No.: 296TK 

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