Citation Impact Factor
noun phrasePronunciation: /saɪˈteɪʃən ˈɪmpækt ˈfæktər/
A metric published annually by Journal Citation Reports measuring the average number of citations received by articles in a journal during a two-year window. It serves as a proxy for journal prestige and research influence.
Plain English
A number showing how often articles in a journal are cited by other researchers, indicating its importance.
Etymology & History
Usage
"Researchers often submit manuscripts to journals with higher citation impact factors to increase visibility and research influence."
Style guide notes: Capitalize 'Impact Factor' when referring to the specific JCR metric; use lowercase 'impact factor' for general measurement discussion.
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Related Terms
Frequently Asked Questions
Is high impact factor always better for publishing?
Higher impact is often preferred for career advancement, but specialized journals with lower impact may better serve niche research communities.
Who calculates and publishes impact factors?
Clarivate Analytics publishes official impact factors annually in the Journal Citation Reports database.
Why Test Candidates on This?
Critical for assessing librarian competency in research metrics consultation and helping researchers navigate publication strategy.
Required skill level: Mid