Unlocking the Power of Impact Factor: A Comprehensive Guide for Researchers and Authors

What is an Impact factor? 

An academic journal's influence and prominence within its area are measured using the impact factor. It measures the typical number of citations per article that was published in a certain publication over a given time frame, usually the two years prior. Journals having a higher impact factor are often seen to be more influential and to have a wider audience within the academic world.

How impact factor is calculated

The impact factor is determined by dividing the total number of citations that articles published in a journal obtained within a certain time by the total number of articles published in that journal within the same period. The impact factor is determined using the following formula:

Impact Factor = Total Citations in Year t / Total Number of Articles Published in Year t-1 and t-2

Is the impact factor the only measure of a journal's quality?

No, one should not just judge a journal's quality by its impact factor. Although extensively used and acknowledged, the impact factor has its limits and shouldn't be taken as the only determinant of a journal's quality. When evaluating the quality and reputation of a journal, a number of other elements and measures may be taken into account, such as:

The peer review process, Editorial standards, and policies, Citation metrics beyond impact factor (such as h-index, Eigenfactor, or field-specific metrics), Reputation and community perception, Indexing and inclusion in databases (such as Scopus or PubMed, clarivate analytics), and Readership and audience

 How can I find the impact factor of a specific journal?

To find the impact factor of a journal:

Visit the publisher's website or journal metrics section.

Access the Journal Citation Reports (JCR) database or similar platforms like Scopus.

Consult academic databases or contact the journal's editorial office for information.