Grzybowski, A (Grzybowski, Andrzej) The Journal Impact Factor: How to interpret its true value and importance MEDICAL SCIENCE MONITOR, 15 (2): SR1-SR4 FEB 2009

[Eugene Garfield]

E-mail Address: grzyb at am.poznan.pl 

Author(s): Grzybowski, A (Grzybowski, Andrzej) 

Title: The Journal Impact Factor: How to interpret its true value and 
importance 

Source: MEDICAL SCIENCE MONITOR, 15 (2): SR1-SR4 FEB 2009 

Language: English 

Document Type: Article 

Author Keywords: journal impact factor; parametrization of science; 
scientometrics 

KeyWords Plus: SCIENCE 

Abstract: In 1955, Garfield suggested that the number of references could 
be used to measure the "impact" of a journal, but the term "impact factor" 
was introduced 1963 by Garfield and Sher. The primary goal of impact 
factor analysis was to improve the management of library journal 
collections.
Single-parameter measurements of the quality of a journal article have 
become increasingly popular as a substitute for scientific quality. The 
simplicity of its counting system and convenience of its use are 
significant benefits. Probably for these reasons, funding bodies, academic 
authorities, and some governments began using the impact factor to guide 
decisions about allocating grants, awarding appointments and academic 
degrees, and defining scientific policy.
The journal impact factor, which is often recognized as a symbol of 
scientific prestige and relevance, can be, however, greatly influenced by 
the type of medical article (review vs original work), clinical specialty, 
and research.
The true value and implications of the journal impact factor (JIF) are 
important to understand. It is critical to remember that JIF can be used 
only to evaluate journals. All comparisons should include only journals 
and never individuals or departments. Only similar journals (particularly 
those dedicated to the same scientific specialty) must be compared, 
because the value of the impact factor varies greatly by discipline. 

Addresses: [Grzybowski, Andrzej] Karol Marcinkowski Univ Med Sch Poznan, 
Dept Hist Med, PL-60812 Poznan, Poland; [Grzybowski, Andrzej] Poznan City 
Hosp, Dept Ophthalmol, Poznan, Poland 

Reprint Address: Grzybowski, A, Karol Marcinkowski Univ Med Sch Poznan, 
Dept Hist Med, Bukowska 70, PL-60812 Poznan, Poland. 

E-mail Address: grzyb at am.poznan.pl 

Cited Reference Count: 23 

Times Cited: 0 

Publisher: INT SCIENTIFIC LITERATURE, INC 

Publisher Address: 1125 WILLIS AVE, ALBERTSON, NY 11507 USA 

ISSN: 1234-1010 

29-char Source Abbrev.: MED SCI MONITOR 

ISO Source Abbrev.: Med. Sci. Monitor 

Source Item Page Count: 4 

Subject Category: Medicine, Research & Experimental 

ISI Document Delivery No.: 420PD 

*ISI
J CITATION REPORTS : 

BROWN H
How impact factors changed medical publishing - and science 
BRITISH MEDICAL JOURNAL 334 : 561 2007 

GAFIELD E
THOMSON SCI IMPACT F : 

GARFIELD E
AGONY ECSTASY HIST M : 

GARFIELD E
NEW FACTORS IN EVALUATION OF SCIENTIFIC LITERATURE THROUGH CITATION 
INDEXING
AMERICAN DOCUMENTATION 14 : 195 1963 

GARFIELD E
How can impact factors be improved? 
BRITISH MEDICAL JOURNAL 313 : 411 1996 

GARFIELD E
CITATION ANALYSIS AS A TOOL IN JOURNAL EVALUATION - JOURNALS CAN BE RANKED 
BY FREQUENCY AND IMPACT OF CITATIONS FOR SCIENCE POLICY STUDIES
SCIENCE 178 : 471 1972 

GARFIELD E
CITATION INDEXES FOR SCIENCE - NEW DIMENSION IN DOCUMENTATION THROUGH 
ASSOCIATION OF IDEAS
SCIENCE 122 : 108 1955 

GARFIELD E
USE J IMPACT FACTORS : 

GRACZYNSKI MR
Personal Impact Factor: The need for speed 
MEDICAL SCIENCE MONITOR 14 : ED1 2008 

GROSS PLK
SCIENCE 66 : 385 1927 

GRZYBOWSKI A
The development and future of Polish Science in Medicine once again 
KARDIOLOGIA POLSKA 66 : 1024 2008 

HA TC
The journal impact factor: Too much of an impact? 
ANNALS ACADEMY OF MEDICINE SINGAPORE 35 : 911 2006 

HALL AR
PHILOS WAR QUARREL N : 2002 

KANTHRAJ GR
IJDVL 72 : 322 2006 

MABE M
Growth dynamics of scholarly and scientific journals 
SCIENTOMETRICS 51 : 147 2001 

MCGARTY C
CURRENT RES SOCIAL P 5 : 1 2000 

MCVEIGH M
J SELF CITATION J CI : 2002 

SATYANARAYANA K
Impact factor: Time to move on 
INDIAN JOURNAL OF MEDICAL RESEARCH 127 : 4 2008 

SEGLEN PO
BRIT MED J 314 : 497 1997 

TESTA J
THOMSON SCI J SELECT : 

VALLE E
COLLECTIVE INTELLIGE : 1665 1999 

WILLIAMS G
Should we ditch impact factors? Yes 
BRITISH MEDICAL JOURNAL 334 : 568 2007