Research on "feeding behavior": quantitative information vs. qualitative perceptions about where it is published

Area of Science:

• Behavioral Sciences
• Neuroscience
• Physiology

Background:

• Understanding publication venues is crucial for researchers in feeding behavior.
• Identifying leading journals aids in disseminating and accessing impactful research.
• The Society for the Study of Ingestive Behavior (SSIB) provides a valuable network for this field.

Purpose of the Study:

• To identify the primary journals publishing research on feeding behavior.
• To compare objective publication data with expert perceptions of journal prestige and output.
• To inform researchers about optimal publication outlets in ingestive behavior studies.

Main Methods:

• A Medline search was conducted for "feeding behavior" articles published between 1980-1990.
• A questionnaire was distributed to Society for the Study of Ingestive Behavior (SSIB) members regarding top journals.
• Data from Medline searches and SSIB surveys were statistically analyzed and correlated.

Main Results:

• Physiology and Behavior, Pharmacology Biochemistry and Behavior, Brain Research, American Journal of Physiology, and Brain Research Bulletin were the top 5 journals by article count.
• Medline data showed a high correlation with SSIB members' perceptions of journal rankings (r = +0.829).
• While "prestige" rankings differed slightly, they also correlated well with objective data (r = +0.766).

Conclusions:

• Objective publication data and expert perceptions largely align in identifying key journals for feeding behavior research.
• The findings offer practical guidance for researchers seeking to publish in high-impact venues.
• Further discussion is warranted on the nuances of journal prestige versus publication volume.