Impact Factor Calculation
nounPronunciation: /ˈɪmpækt ˈfæktər ˌkælkjəˈleɪʃən/
A mathematical formula measuring journal citation influence by dividing the number of citations received in the current year by articles published in the previous two years. This metric influences journal ranking and prestige perception.
Plain English
A number that shows how often articles in a journal are cited by other researchers.
Etymology & History
Usage
"The journal's impact factor calculation revealed a 15% increase in citations year-over-year."
Style guide notes: Hyphenate 'impact-factor' when used as compound adjective before nouns.
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Related Terms
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a good impact factor score?
Scores vary by discipline; typically 2.0+ indicates moderate influence within field.
Why do impact factors matter?
They guide author submissions, funding decisions, and institutional research quality assessments.
Why Test Candidates on This?
Essential knowledge for understanding journal quality evaluation and research impact assessment methods.
Required skill level: Mid