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Basic Technical In the Industry Vocabulary Test Commonly tested

Impact Factor Indexing

noun

Pronunciation: /ˈɪmpækt ˈfæktər ˈɪndɛksɪŋ/

The process of calculating and tracking a journal's impact factor metric, which measures average citation frequency of published articles over a defined period. This administrative function ensures accurate reporting to citation databases and maintains journal ranking visibility.

Plain English

Recording and verifying how often a journal's articles are cited to determine its influence in its field.

Etymology & History

Origin languageEnglish
Rootimpact (effect/influence) + factor (quantifiable element) + indexing (systematic cataloging)
First recorded use1970s
Usage frequencyVery common

Usage

"The journal's impact factor indexing revealed a 15% increase in citation counts compared to the previous year."

Style guide notes: Capitalize 'Impact Factor' when referring to the specific measure (trademarked); use lowercase for generic impact factor discussions.

Also known as

citation tracking metric calculation

Contrasted with

citation suppression visibility removal

Related Terms

Frequently Asked Questions

Who maintains impact factor indexing records?

Citation databases like Web of Science and Scopus maintain official records; journals coordinate with these organizations.

How does impact factor affect journal operations?

Higher impact factors attract quality submissions, improve visibility, and influence editorial strategy and resource allocation.

Why Test Candidates on This?

Critical for evaluating journal performance and understanding how editorial decisions influence publication metrics and reputation.

Required skill level: Mid

Editors from these organizations have used our services since 1998

Reuters BBC Oxford University Press Penguin Random House Springer Microsoft Suncor Energy United Nations Fisher Investments IBM The Home Depot KODAK CHEVRON