A metric used to assess the relative importance of a journal within its field, the number represents the average number of times articles published in the journal over the previous two years were cited in the current year. As an example, a score of 5 indicates that, on average, the articles published in the journal during the preceding two years were cited five times.
The metric provides a quantitative tool for evaluating scholarly publications and their influence within the scientific community. Its value lies in offering a standardized way to compare the relative standing of different journals. Historically, this metric has been a primary indicator used by researchers, institutions, and funding agencies to gauge the credibility and reach of research disseminated through specific publications.