The new Journal Citation Reports using 2013 data have just been released. The BJPsych fares well with an increase to 7.373. While many journals' Impact Factors have fallen or stayed the same or shown modest increases, some continue their ascent to the celestial heights from which the earth seems very far away. Is a high Impact Factor a good thing? Our challenge is to produce relevant research that has an impact on the lives of patients and on public health. Therein lies the tension. High Impact Factors should mean higher-quality research, substantive advances and scientific breakthroughs. How are Impact Factors used? Authors do agonise over journal selection, and the Impact Factor is a not insignificant consideration. In part, the Impact Factor is seen as a marker of respect, status, influence and a broad readership.
展开▼
