1. What is Impact Factor?

The Impact Factor (IF) is a measure of the frequency with which the average article in a journal has been cited in a particular year. It is used to evaluate the relative importance of a journal within its field.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the Impact Factor formula:

Where:

• \( Citations \) — Number of citations received by articles published in the journal during the specified period
• \( Citable\ Items \) — Number of citable items (articles, reviews, etc.) published in the journal during the same period

Explanation: The Impact Factor represents the average number of citations per published item in a given time frame, typically calculated for a two-year period.

3. Importance of Impact Factor

Details: Impact Factor is widely used by researchers, librarians, and institutions to assess journal quality, make publication decisions, and evaluate research output. It helps in comparing journals within the same field.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter the total number of citations and citable items for the specified time period. Citations must be ≥ 0 and citable items must be > 0.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: What time period is used for Impact Factor calculation?
A: Typically, a two-year period is used, but it can vary depending on the database and specific requirements.

Q2: What are considered good Impact Factor values?
A: Good Impact Factor values vary by field. In general, IF > 10 is considered excellent, 5-10 is very good, 3-5 is good, and below 3 is average to low.

Q3: What types of documents are included in citable items?
A: Citable items typically include research articles, reviews, and sometimes conference papers, but exclude editorials, letters, and news items.

Q4: Are there limitations to Impact Factor?
A: Yes, Impact Factor can be influenced by citation practices in different fields, journal size, and self-citations. It should not be the sole metric for evaluating research quality.

Q5: Where can I find official Impact Factor data?
A: Official Impact Factors are published in Journal Citation Reports (JCR) by Clarivate Analytics (formerly Thomson Reuters).