Impact factor distribution revisited with graphical representation

In this work, we propose the graphical representation for the empirical data of the impact factor rank-ordered distribution. The characteristics of the distribution can be directly visualized. Within the subject category of journal citation reports, the impact factor rank-ordered distribution system...

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Bibliographic Details
Published inScientometrics Vol. 107; no. 3; pp. 1321 - 1329
Main Authors Hsu, Jiann-wien, Huang, Ding-wei
Format Journal Article
LanguageEnglish
Published Dordrecht Springer Netherlands 01.06.2016
Subjects
Computer Science
Information Storage and Retrieval
Library Science
Matthew effect
Rank-order distribution
Scaling
Impact factor
Curvature
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ISSN0138-9130
1588-2861
DOI10.1007/s11192-016-1921-6

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Summary:In this work, we propose the graphical representation for the empirical data of the impact factor rank-ordered distribution. The characteristics of the distribution can be directly visualized. Within the subject category of journal citation reports, the impact factor rank-ordered distribution systematically presents a clear evidence of the two-exponent behavior and the S-shaped decrease. The sharp convex decrease is related to the first exponent, which dictates the distribution of lower ranks. The mild concave decrease is related to the second exponent, which dictates the distribution of higher ranks. The relevance of Matthew effect is discussed.
ISSN:0138-9130
1588-2861
DOI:10.1007/s11192-016-1921-6