The journal impact factor denominator: defining citable (counted) items
ME McVeigh, SJ Mann - Jama, 2009 - jamanetwork.com
OVER ITS 30-YEAR HISTORY, THE JOURNAL IMPACT factor has been the subject of much
discussion and debate. 1 From its first release in 1975, bibliometricians and library scientists
discussed its value and its vagaries. In the last decade, discussion has shifted to the way in
which impact factor data are used. In an environment eager for objective measures of
productivity, relevance, and research value, the impact factor has been applied broadly and
indiscriminately. 2, 3 The impact factor has gone from being a measure of a journal's citation …
discussion and debate. 1 From its first release in 1975, bibliometricians and library scientists
discussed its value and its vagaries. In the last decade, discussion has shifted to the way in
which impact factor data are used. In an environment eager for objective measures of
productivity, relevance, and research value, the impact factor has been applied broadly and
indiscriminately. 2, 3 The impact factor has gone from being a measure of a journal's citation …