Journal Citation Reports

Each journal profiled in the Journal Citation Reports has met the rigorous quality standards documented in the Web of Science Core Collection editorial selection process.

A key difference between the Web of Science and Journal Citation Reports is that the Web of Science is continually updated, while the JCR data represent a snapshot from a specific time, namely, the date when the data were extracted for analysis. This difference reflects the essential nature of each product.

The Web of Science is an evolving record of the dynamic world of scholarly communication with new source content continually added, including citations. JCR, on the other hand, is an annual report on the citation impact of a defined set of journals at a given moment in time.

Therefore, attempts to use the Web of Science data to replicate JCR metrics will lead to results that will vary from those reported in JCR.

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The Journal Impact Factor is a single journal-level measurement that should not be considered in isolation. We continue to advise that the JIF is a useful metric, if used responsibly as a measure of journal’s citation performance and wider journal intelligence, which takes into account journal size. We also continue to advise against misuse of the JIF as a measure of anything other than the scholarly impact of a journal.

The JIF– a journal-level metric– is not a measure of a specific paper or any kind of proxy or substitute metric that confers standing on an individual or institution that may have published papers in a given journal. The Journal Impact Factor should not be used irresponsibly to evaluate individual articles and researchers during research assessment.

We urge the use of proper data analysis through a graphical display with multiple, complementary dimensions. Setting the JIF in a wider content allows for broader understanding. For more information, please see our Global Research Report: Profiles not metrics.

Over the past few years, we have implemented a series of policy changes for the Journal Citation Reports (JCR)™ aimed at aligning coverage between the Web of Science Core Collection™ and the JCR, providing more transparency of the data underlying JCR metrics, and encouraging a more inclusive, more holistic way of comparing journals.

In making these changes, we have evolved the JIF from an indicator of scholarly impact (the numerical value of the JIF) in the sciences and social sciences to an indicator of both scholarly impact and trustworthiness (having a JIF – regardless of the number) across all disciplines at the journal level.

For more detail, please visit this page.