A journal’s assessment metric provides a quantitative measure of its influence within a specific field. It reflects the average number of citations that articles published in that journal have received over a defined period, typically two years. For example, a score of 5 indicates that, on average, articles published in the journal during the preceding two years have been cited five times each.
This metric is a crucial tool for researchers when selecting publications for their work and evaluating the visibility and impact of journals in their respective fields. It offers a benchmark for comparing the relative importance of various scholarly outlets. Furthermore, this value can affect a journal’s reputation, attracting higher-quality submissions and influencing career advancement for authors who publish within it. Historically, the development and tracking of this figure have significantly shaped the landscape of academic publishing.
