Krell, FT. 2010. Should editors influence journal impact factors?. LEARNED PUBLISHING 23 (1): 59-62.
Eugene Garfield
garfield at CODEX.CIS.UPENN.EDU
Tue Feb 16 10:51:51 EST 2010
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
More information about the SIGMETRICS
mailing list