Editors’ JIF-boosting stratagems – Which are appropriate and which not?

Ben R. Martin

doi:https://doi.org/10.1016/j.respol.2015.09.001

doi.org/10.1016/j.respol.2015.09.001

Editors’ JIF-boosting stratagems – Which are appropriate and which not?

Ben R. Martin

36

Research Policy7.20

Volume: 45, Issue: 1, Pages: 1 - 7

Published: Feb 1, 2016

Abstract

This extended editorial explores the growing range of stratagems devised by journal editors to boost their Journal Impact Factor (JIF) and the consequences for the credibility of this indicator as well as for the academic community more broadly. Over recent years, JIF has become the most prominent indicator of a journal's standing, bringing intense pressure on journal editors to do what they can to increase it. After explaining the curious way...