Bibliometric rankings of journals based on Impact Factors: An axiomatic approach

Denis Bouyssou and Thierry Marchant

Journal of Informetrics, 2011, vol. 5, issue 1, 75-86

Abstract: This paper proposes an axiomatic analysis of Impact Factors when used as tools for ranking journals. This analysis draws on the similarities between the problem of comparing distribution of citations among papers and that of comparing probability distributions on consequences as commonly done in decision theory. Our analysis singles out a number of characteristic properties of the ranking based on Impact Factors. We also suggest alternative ways of using distributions of citations to rank order journals.

Keywords: Bibliometrics; Journal rankings; Impact Factor; Expected utility; Decision theory (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2011
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Citations: View citations in EconPapers (32)

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Working Paper: Bibliometric rankings of journals based on Impact Factors: An axiomatic approach (2011)
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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:eee:infome:v:5:y:2011:i:1:p:75-86

DOI: 10.1016/j.joi.2010.09.001

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