Impact Factor How To Calculate

Impact Factor Formula:

\[ IF = \frac{Citations_{(n-1 + n-2)}}{Citable\ Articles_{(n-1 + n-2)}} \]

Impact Factor (IF):

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1. What Is Journal Impact Factor?

Journal Impact Factor (JIF) is a measure that reflects the yearly average number of citations to recent articles published in a journal. It is frequently used as a proxy for the relative importance of a journal within its field.

2. How Does The Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the standard Impact Factor formula:

\[ IF = \frac{Citations_{(n-1 + n-2)}}{Citable\ Articles_{(n-1 + n-2)}} \]

Where:

\( Citations_{(n-1 + n-2)} \) — Total citations in current year to articles published in previous two years
\( Citable\ Articles_{(n-1 + n-2)} \) — Total number of citable articles published in previous two years
\( n \) — Current year

Explanation: The formula calculates the average number of citations received per citable article published in the journal during the two preceding years.

3. Importance Of Impact Factor

Details: Impact Factor is widely used in academic publishing to evaluate journal quality, make publication decisions, and assess research impact. However, it should be used with caution and in conjunction with other metrics.

4. Using The Calculator

Tips: Enter the total number of citations received in the current year for articles published in the previous two years, and the total number of citable articles published in those same two years. Citations must be ≥ 0, articles must be > 0.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: What is considered a good Impact Factor?
A: This varies by field. In some fields, IF of 2-3 might be excellent, while in others, top journals may have IF > 20.

Q2: How often is Impact Factor calculated?
A: Journal Impact Factors are calculated and published annually by Clarivate Analytics in their Journal Citation Reports.

Q3: What types of articles are considered "citable"?
A: Typically, research articles, reviews, and proceedings papers are considered citable. Editorials, letters, and news items are usually excluded.

Q4: Are there limitations to Impact Factor?
A: Yes, it can be influenced by citation practices in different fields, journal size, and article types. It should not be the sole measure of journal quality.

Q5: What are alternatives to Impact Factor?
A: Alternatives include CiteScore, SCImago Journal Rank, Eigenfactor, and article-level metrics like citation counts and altmetrics.