What parameter is the best indicator of a journal's reputability: Quartile ranking, impact factor, indexing, or something else?
Determining a journal's reputability can be a complex process, and it depends on multiple factors, including the research field and the intended audience. Impact factor and quartile ranking are commonly used indicators to measure the reputation of a journal. However, it's important to keep in mind that impact factor and quartile ranking are not always an accurate reflection of the quality of the research published in a particular journal. Other factors to consider may include the indexing of the journal, the review process, and the reputation of the editorial board. It is important to evaluate the quality of individual articles, rather than relying solely on a journal's overall ranking or metrics. The best indicator of a journal's reputability may depend on the specific context and goals of the research.
In my opinion, the preferable indicators of journal quality are qualitative. Good ones include:
- your personal impression of the quality of the previously published research
- the reputation and respectability of the editors and the editorial board
- indexation (inclusion in quality-checking databases) - because it reflects basic trustworthiness to a certain degree, as far as can be done from the outside
- retraction frequency -- check the Retraction Watch database for the journal name http://retractiondatabase.org/
JIF, JIF quartile, and similar purely quantitative metrics are highly controversial in the relevant literature. For one thing, they can be gamed (manipulated). They are not as objective or neutral as one might believe. Moreover, their informativeness is limited because
- high JIF journal also publish bad articles
- low JIF journals also publish good articles -- most journals publish articles of widely ranging quality and citation impact
- JIFs in particular are strongly influenced by a few exceptionally cited articles
Article Impact Factor volatility to a single paper: A comprehensive analysis
Hello Getu Habte
I totally agree with the comments of Paul Donner that metrics like JIF are just numbers and I do not think they are always a good reflection of the journal. The way I think of it is that the best indicator I can think of is what journals that I read and quote or reference.
That, basically, is related to a journal's reputation. It is important in academic reasons and community in the same way it is important for businesses.
https://www.reiq.com/articles/the-importance-of-managing-your-brand-reputation/
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