What is a good impact factor?

What constitutes a "good" impact factor (IF) varies significantly depending on the field of study.

Here's a breakdown:

• Field Matters: A journal with an IF of 3.0 might be considered excellent in a field like mathematics (link: https://www.wikiwhat.page/kavramlar/mathematics), while it could be relatively low in a field like molecular biology (link: https://www.wikiwhat.page/kavramlar/molecular%20biology).

• Journal Type: Review journals (link: https://www.wikiwhat.page/kavramlar/review%20journals) often have higher IFs than journals publishing original research because reviews tend to be cited more frequently.

• General Guidelines:

  • High Impact: Journals with IFs above 10 are generally considered high impact across most fields.
  • Good Impact: An IF between 3 and 10 is generally considered good.
  • Moderate Impact: Journals with IFs between 1 and 3 have a moderate impact.
  • Lower Impact: Journals with IFs below 1 are generally considered to have a lower impact. However, remember that a low IF doesn't necessarily mean the research is bad. Emerging fields or specialized journals (link: https://www.wikiwhat.page/kavramlar/specialized%20journals) might naturally have lower IFs.

• Journal Citation Reports (JCR): The IF is calculated annually by Clarivate Analytics and published in the JCR (link: https://www.wikiwhat.page/kavramlar/journal%20citation%20reports). This resource provides information on the IF of journals in various subject categories, allowing you to compare journals within the same field.

• Beyond the IF: The impact factor is just one metric. Consider other factors like the journal's reputation (link: https://www.wikiwhat.page/kavramlar/journal's%20reputation), editorial board (link: https://www.wikiwhat.page/kavramlar/editorial%20board), peer-review process (link: https://www.wikiwhat.page/kavramlar/peer-review%20process), and the journal's specific focus and readership when evaluating a journal. Furthermore, altmetrics (link: https://www.wikiwhat.page/kavramlar/altmetrics) are becoming increasingly important in assessing research impact.