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Causes for the persistence of impact factor mania
Mbio
|March 20, 2014
Summary
Impact factor mania persists because scientists and journals benefit individually, despite harming the scientific enterprise. This "tragedy of the commons" behavior distorts research evaluation and requires measures to reduce journal impact factor influence.
Area of Science:
- Bibliometrics
- Scientific publishing
- Research evaluation
Background:
- The journal impact factor (JIF) is widely misused for evaluating scientific research.
- This practice, termed "impact factor mania," persists despite numerous critiques.
- The underlying causes and detrimental effects of this mania remain underexplored.
Purpose of the Study:
- To explore the reasons behind the persistence of impact factor mania.
- To examine the negative consequences of impact factor mania on the scientific enterprise.
- To propose measures for mitigating the influence of the JIF.
Main Methods:
- Conceptual analysis of scientific publishing practices.
- Application of economic theory (tragedy of the commons) to understand scientist behavior.
- Review of existing literature on the impact factor.
Main Results:
- Impact factor mania is sustained by the significant benefits it provides to individual scientists and journals.
- This behavior exemplifies the "tragedy of the commons," where rational self-interest leads to detrimental collective outcomes.
- The mania distorts scientific values, prioritizing publication venue over research content.
Conclusions:
- Impact factor mania is an "epidemic" causing profound distortions in science.
- It is maintained by disproportionate benefits to established scientists, journals, and administrative interests.
- Addressing this requires implementing measures to reduce the JIF's undue influence.
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