Metrics Melange: Crafting a Holistic View of Journal Impact

Abstract

In the realm of scientific publishing, the pursuit of an effective metric for assessing journal impact persists. The Journal Citation Indicator (JCI), introduced by Clarivate Analytics, aims to provide a field-normalized, easily comparable measure of a journal's influence. Calculated based on the Category Normalized Citation Impact (CNCI) at the article level, JCI offers a comprehensive evaluation by considering specific characteristics of different fields and their publications. While acknowledging the prominence of citation-based metrics, this abstract advocates for a broader perspective, incorporating measures such as downloads and Altmetric scores. It emphasizes the need for a holistic assessment, recognizing the multidimensional nature of journal impact, and the importance of community engagement. Ultimately, JCI serves as a valuable tool, complementing existing metrics and fostering a deeper understanding of journal significance.