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OA JOURNALS: PUBLISHING METRICS: AN INTRO

For researchers: information and tips for choosing journals in which to publish Open Access articles

PUBLISHING METRICS: THE ROLES THAT THEY PLAY

Publishing metrics are a category of data employed within publishing environments, and serve various purposes, including:

FOR RESEARCHERS - Metrics are useful for:

  • making choices about which journal is most suitable for submitting their work
  • assessing and tracking the impact of an individual piece of research over a period of time
     

FOR READERS:  Metrics are useful for:

  • Discovering article impact 
  • Locating high-ranking journals in the information-seeking/reading process:  Impact factors, citation counts and other data can provide a base for selecting articles to read, journals to follow etc
     

FOR LIBRARIANS:  Metrics are useful for:

  • Locating statistical data on which to make journal subscriptions decisions

 

Source:  Taylor & Francis https://authorservices.taylorandfrancis.com/publishing-your-research/choosing-a-journal/journal-metrics/

TIPS FOR EMPLOYING METRICS

PUBLISHERS WARN ABOUT THE LIMITATIONS OF METRICS
Publishers advise that metrics should not be used singularly ie without regard to other information sources
They recommend a "best approach" of employing a number of metrics

 

They also emphasise the value of employing qualitative approaches: 

  • referring to the Aims and Scope sections of the journal
  • seeking information about a journal's readership
  • employing a broad review of the journal eg exploring past issues

 

Source:  Taylor & Francis Author Services n.d. "Guide to Understanding Journal Metrics" 
https://authorservices.taylorandfrancis.com/publishing-your-research/choosing-a-journal/journal-metrics