Foo, JYA. 2009. EFFECT OF BIBLIOGRAPHICAL CLASSIFICATION ON THE IMPACT FACTOR OF SCIENCE- AND ENGINEERING-BASED JOURNALS. ACCOUNTABILITY IN RESEARCH-POLICIES AND QUALITY ASSURANCE 16 (1): 1-12

[Eugene Garfield]

Foo, JYA. 2009. EFFECT OF BIBLIOGRAPHICAL CLASSIFICATION ON THE IMPACT 
FACTOR OF SCIENCE- AND ENGINEERING-BASED JOURNALS. ACCOUNTABILITY 
IN RESEARCH-POLICIES AND QUALITY ASSURANCE 16 (1): 1-12..

Author Full Name(s): Foo, Jong Yong Abdiel
Language: English
Document Type: Article

Abstract: The simplest and widely used assessment of academic research and 
researchers is the journal impact factor (JIF). However, the JIF may exhibit 
patterns that are skewed towards journals that publish high number of non-
research items and short turnover research. Moreover, there are concerns as 
the JIF is often used as a comparison for journals from different disciplines. In 
this study, the JIF computation of eight top ranked journals from four different 
subject categories was analyzed. The analysis reveals that most of the 
published items (> 65%) in the science disciplines were nonresearch items while 
fewer such items (< 22%) were observed in engineering-based journals. The 
single regression analysis confirmed that there is correlation (R-2 >= .99) in the 
number of published items or citations received over the two-year period used 
in the JIF calculation amongst the eight selected journals. A weighted factor 
computation is introduced to compensate for the smaller journals and journals 
that publish longer turnover research. It is hoped that the approach can 
provide a comprehensive assessment of the quality of a journal regardless of 
the disciplinary field.

Addresses: [Foo, Jong Yong Abdiel] Singapore Gen Hosp, Div Res, Singapore 
169608, Singapore; [Foo, Jong Yong Abdiel] Nanyang Technol Univ, Biomed 
Engn Res Ctr, Singapore, Singapore

Reprint Address: Foo, JYA, Singapore Gen Hosp, Div Res, 31 3rd Hosp 
Ave,Bowyer Block A,Level 3,Outram Rd, Singapore 169608, Singapore.

E-mail Address: foo.jong.yong at sgh.com.sg

ISSN: 0898-9621
DOI: 10.1080/08989620802689516
Fulltext: http://www.informaworld.com/smpp/section?
content=a909104288&fulltext=713240928