Understanding complexity in the author-journal space

Taylan Yenilmez ()
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Taylan Yenilmez: Istanbul University

Scientometrics, 2025, vol. 130, issue 7, No 5, 3405-3432

Abstract: Abstract This paper introduces the concept of complexity to the network of authors and journals creating new metrics: the Journal Complexity Index (JCI) and the Author Complexity Index (ACI). High-ACI authors and high-JCI journals tend to have more citations per article, even though these complexity metrics are calculated without using citation data. Regression analyses using comprehensive data from the Scopus database show that the relationship between complexity and citation impact is strong and robust when journals are grouped into specific subject areas. When applied to broader categories that include journals from diverse fields, the metrics primarily serve to distinguish journals based on their subject field. However, as journal groups become homogeneous in terms of subject field, the ACI and JCI turn into true indicators of complexity. These findings show that complexity metrics can act as both clustering tools and true indicators of complexity, highlighting the conditional nature of their interpretation.

Keywords: Author Complexity Index; Journal Complexity Index; Journal impact; Author impact (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2025
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Citations: View citations in EconPapers (1)

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DOI: 10.1007/s11192-025-05344-9

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