Impact factor and research quality

摘要

The author discusses issues associated with the usage of the impact factor (IF) in the research community. The oversimplified usage of IF to capture the quality of the research products of a scientist is a malpractice that is affecting the scientific community and it tempts scientists into opportunistic and unethical behaviors. More than one indicator is needed to capture its properties, and IF alone as a journal reputation indicator does not suffice.