Impact factor of physics journals

In summary, the ranking of physics journals in 2003 is based on their impact factors, which are calculated primarily by the number of citations. Other factors may also be considered. The top ranked journals in various areas of physics, such as Applied, Atomic and Molecular, and Condensed Matter, have impact factors ranging from 2.281 to 13.952. In a 2006 study, the most cited journals in all fields included Phys. Rev. Lett. as one of the top ten. Despite different criteria for determining high impact, the physics community still values the impact of journals.
  • #1
Erdem
how it is calculated.
what is the ranking of physics journals in 2003
 
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  • #2
Physics Impact Factors

Impact factors are calculated based mostly on number of citations. There are, however, many other factors. Do a google search on "ISI Journal Impact Factors" or "Journal Performance Indicators" and you can pull up some formulas that the ISI uses.

Regarding the actual impact factors, it depends on the area of physics. Areas available are:

Applied
Atomic, Molecular & Chemical
Condensed Matter
Fluids & Plasmas
Mathematical
Multidisciplenary
Nuclear
Particles & Fields

Here is some info. for 2002:

Top five ranked impact factor "Applied Physics" journals:
Mat Sci Eng R - 11.893
Adv Func Mater - 4.656
Appl Phys Lett - 4.207
MRS Bull - 3.242
J Appl Phys - 2.281

And the top six ranked impact factor "Atomic..." journals:
Prog Nucl Mag Res SP - 4.808
Adv Atom Mol Opt Phy - 4.524
Chem Phys Chem - 3.862
Atom Data Nucl Data - 3.737
J Chem Phys - 2.998
Phys Rev A - 2.986

Top five "Condensed Matter ..." journals:
Adv Phys - 13.952
Solid State Phys - 6.600
Adv Funct Mater - 4.656
Prog Surf Sci - 4.096
Phys Rev B - 3.327
 
  • #3
Amazing that Phys. Rev. Lett. didn't make it into any of these top-5 lists!
 
  • #4
Phys Rev Lett

I was wondering the same thing.

In the physics community, what is considered "high impact" is, as I am sure you would corroberate, different than what ISI considers to be "high impact" with its algorithm.
 
  • #6
Wow. It only took 4 years to follow up on this.

Zz.
 
  • #8
moose said:
How is this a coincidence? I wouldn't call two events separated by 3 and a half years coinciding.
It's all relative :biggrin:

Mind you - got to give credit for tenacity, to spend nearly 4 years researching an answer to the original question shows true persistence.
 
Last edited by a moderator:
  • #9
Say no to necroposting. I mean really, its just bad karma.
 

FAQ: Impact factor of physics journals

What is the impact factor of a journal?

The impact factor of a journal is a measure that reflects the yearly average number of citations of articles published in the last two years in a given journal. It's commonly used as an indicator of the relative importance of a journal within its field.

How is the impact factor calculated for physics journals?

The impact factor of a physics journal is calculated by dividing the number of citations in the current year to articles published in the journal during the previous two years by the total number of 'citable items' published in the journal in the previous two years.

Why is the impact factor important for physics journals?

The impact factor is important as it is often perceived as a measure of the quality and prestige of a journal. Higher impact factors are typically seen as indicative of more influential and well-regarded journals in the field of physics.

Can the impact factor vary significantly between different fields of physics?

Yes, the impact factor can vary significantly between different subfields of physics due to varying citation behaviors and research activity levels in each field. Therefore, impact factors should be compared within the same discipline.

Are there any criticisms of using impact factor as a measure of journal quality?

Yes, the impact factor has been criticized for not fully representing the quality of individual articles and for being susceptible to manipulation through editorial policies. It's also argued that it places too much emphasis on citation counts over other forms of scholarly impact.

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

The impact factor of a specific physics journal can typically be found on the journal's website, in databases like Web of Science, or through academic publishing companies like Elsevier, Springer, and Wiley.

Are there alternative metrics to the impact factor for evaluating journals?

Yes, alternative metrics like the h-index, Eigenfactor, and SCImago Journal Rank (SJR) are also used to evaluate journals. These metrics consider various factors like citation patterns and journal influence, providing a broader view of a journal's impact.

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