Open AccessImpact factors: Use and abuse in biomedical research
Author(s) -
Coleman Raymond
Publication year - 1999
Publication title -
the anatomical record
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
eISSN - 1097-0185
pISSN - 0003-276X
DOI - 10.1002/(sici)1097-0185(19990415)257:2<54::aid-ar5>3.0.co;2-p
Subject(s) - impact factor , citation , quality (philosophy) , citation impact , psychology , computer science , political science , epistemology , law , library science , philosophy
Impact factors are increasingly being used as measures in the process of academic evaluation; however, the pitfalls associated with such use of impact factors are not always appreciated. Impact factors have limited use as criteria in determining the quality of scientific research. Classical anatomists may be actively discriminated against if journal impact factors are used as measures of scientific merit in comparison with colleagues in more popular or faster‐moving disciplines such as molecular biology. Research evaluation based on citation rates and journal impact factors is inappropriate, unfair, and an increasing source of frustration. Anat. Rec. (New Anat.): 257:54–57, 1999. © 1999 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.