1. What is Impact Factor?

The Impact Factor (IF) is a measure of the frequency with which the average article in a journal has been cited in a particular year. It is used to evaluate the relative importance of a journal within its field.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the standard Impact Factor formula:

Where:

• \( Citations \) — Number of citations received in the specified period
• \( Citable Items \) — Number of citable items published in the same period

Explanation: The Impact Factor represents the average number of citations per published item during the specified time frame.

3. Importance of Impact Factor

Details: Impact Factor is widely used by researchers, librarians, and publishers to assess journal quality, make publication decisions, and evaluate research impact in academic and scientific communities.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter the number of citations received during the period and the number of citable items published in the same period. Citations must be ≥ 0 and citable items must be > 0.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: What time period is typically used for Impact Factor calculation?
A: Most commonly, a 2-year period is used, but some calculations may use 5-year periods for different metrics.

Q2: What constitutes a "citable item"?
A: Citable items typically include research articles, reviews, and proceedings papers, but exclude editorials, letters, and news items.

Q3: What is considered a good Impact Factor?
A: This varies by field. In some disciplines, an IF of 2-3 is excellent, while in others, top journals may have IFs above 20.

Q4: Are there limitations to Impact Factor?
A: Yes, it can be influenced by citation practices in different fields, journal size, and doesn't reflect individual article quality.

Q5: How often is Impact Factor updated?
A: Journal Citation Reports typically update Impact Factors annually, based on data from the previous calendar year.