Research Impact

Journal metrics are scores used to rank journals.  Each metric calculates its score differently.  Some journal metrics are described below.

The Journal Impact Factor (JIF), or impact factor (IF) metric is "the number of cites in the current year to any items published in the journal during the previous two years" divided by "the number of substantive articles (source items) published during the same two years." [1] 

The Journal Citation Report (JCR) is an annual report of journals' impact factors. There is also a Five-Year Journal Impact Factor available in JCR from 2007 forward.

Find Journal Impact Factors in BU Libraries' Journal Citation Reports database.

Eigenfactor metrics use the data from Journal Citation Reports (JCR), but take five years instead of two years of data for its metrics.  It also incorporates disciplinary differences and other factors into its algorithm.

Find Eigenfactor metrics on the Eigenfactor Journal Ranking website or in BU Libraries' Journal Citation Reports database.

The SCImago Journal Rank Indicator (SJR) is also a weighted metric.  It was developed from the GooglePageRank algorithm. The SJR is developed from the information contained in the Scopus database.

SCImago SJR includes detailed rankings for rehabilitation and behavioral sciences.

Find SJR scores on the SCImago Journal and Country Rank website.  

Paula Carey
General Science, Engineering, & Mathematics Librarian
pac@bu.edu

Mary Foppiani
Astronomy, Biology, & Physics Librarian
foppiani@bu.edu

Barbara Maratos
Modern Languages, Comparative Literature, & Linguistics Librarian
bkmarato@bu.edu

Kate Silfen
Health Sciences Librarian
ksilfen@bu.edu

Dan Benedetti
Head, Pickering Education Resources Library
benededa@bu.edu