Krell, FT. 2010. Should editors influence journal impact factors?. LEARNED PUBLISHING 23 (1): 59-62.

[Eugene Garfield]

Krell, FT. 2010. Should editors influence journal impact factors?. LEARNED 
PUBLISHING 23 (1): 59-62.

Author Full Name(s): Krell, Frank-Thorsten

Language: English
Document Type: Article

KeyWords Plus: SCIENTIFIC JOURNALS; FACTOR MANIPULATION; CITATION 
DATABASES; REFERENCES; SCIENCE; PERFORMANCE; VALIDITY; QUALITY

Abstract: The journal impact factor is widely used as a performance indicator 
for single authors (despite its unsuitably in this respect). Hence, authors are 
increasingly exercised if there is any sign that impact factors are being 
manipulated. Editors who ask authors to cite relevant papers from their own 
journal tire accused of acting unethically. This is surprising because, besides 
publishers, authors are the primary beneficiaries of an increased impact factor 
of the journal in which they publish, and because the citation process is biased 
anyway. There is growing evidence that quality and relevance are not always 
the reasons for choosing references. Authors' biases and personal environments 
as well (is strategic considerations are major factors. As long (is an editor does 
not force authors to cite irrelevant papers front their own journal, I consider it 
as a matter of caretaking for the journal and its authors if an editor brings 
recent papers to the authors' attention. It would be Unfair to authors and 
disloyal to the publisher if an editor did not try to increase the impact of his/her 
own journal. (C) Frank-Thorsten Krell

Addresses: Denver Museum Nat & Sci, Dept Zool, Denver, CO 80205 USA

Reprint Address: Krell, FT, Denver Museum Nat & Sci, Dept Zool, 2001 Colorado 
Blvd, Denver, CO 80205 USA.

E-mail Address: frank.krell at dmns.org

ISSN: 0953-1513
DOI: 10.1087/20100110
URL: http://www.dmns.org/science/curators/frank-krell/editors-influence.pdf