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ASM Journals Eliminate Impact Factor Information from Journal Websites
Arturo Casadevall1, Stefano Bertuzzi2, Michael J Buchmeier3
1Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, Maryland, USA.
Msystems
|November 9, 2016
Summary
Scientists often prioritize high journal impact factors (IFs) for publication. Despite criticism, IFs are still misused in academic career decisions, affecting hiring, funding, and promotions.
Area of Science:
- Bibliometrics
- Scholarly Communication
- Scientific Publishing
Background:
- The journal impact factor (IF) is a widely used metric in scientific publishing.
- Despite its limitations, the IF is frequently employed to evaluate research significance.
Discussion:
- The misuse of IFs in academic evaluations persists despite expert condemnation.
- This practice influences critical decisions in publication, hiring, funding, and promotion.
Key Insights:
- Journal impact factors are often overemphasized in scientific assessments.
- The reliance on IFs can lead to biased evaluations of research quality and impact.
Outlook:
- Future research should focus on developing and implementing more robust evaluation metrics.
- Promoting responsible use of bibliometrics is crucial for fair academic progression.
