impact factor
nounPronunciation: /ˈɪmpækt ˈfæktər/
Also written as: IF
A metric measuring the average number of citations received by articles published in a journal
Full Definition
A quantitative measure calculated annually by Clarivate Analytics that reflects the average number of citations in a given year to articles published in a journal during the two preceding years, used to evaluate journal prominence in cardiology
Plain English
A number that shows how often other researchers quote articles from a particular heart medicine journal
In Editorial Context
A key performance indicator used by cardiology journals to demonstrate scientific influence and guide editorial strategy
Etymology & History
Developed by Eugene Garfield for the Institute for Scientific Information
Initially created for library collection decisions, later became prominent in academic evaluation
Usage
"Circulation has one of the highest impact factors among cardiology journals."
Usage note: Often abbreviated as IF in academic contexts
Context: Journal evaluation, academic promotion, research assessment
Region: global
Style guide notes: Capitalize when referring to specific Thomson Reuters metric; use numerals for values
In Context
- "The journal's impact factor increased from 4.2 to 4.8 this year."
- "Impact factor alone should not determine publication venue choice."
- "Top-tier cardiology journals typically have impact factors above 15."
Also known as
Don't confuse with
h-index, journal ranking
Common mistake: Confusing with other citation metrics like h-index or SJR
Related Terms
Broader term: bibliometric indicator
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a good impact factor for cardiology journals?
Top journals range from 15-30+, while specialized journals may have factors of 2-8.
How often are impact factors updated?
Annually, typically released in June by Clarivate Analytics.
Why Test Candidates on This?
Important for understanding journal selection and research impact assessment
Required skill level: Mid