Bornmann L, Marx W, Gasparyan AY et al. Diversity, value and limitations of the journal impact factor and alternative metrics. Rheumathology International ePub 23 December 2011
(doi: 10.1007/s00296-011-2276-1)
This article discusses misuses of the journal impact factor (JIF) to assess impact of separate journal articles and the effect of several manuscript versions on JIF. The interpretation of its values are valid for comparisons within, but not between certain journal sets or subject categories. JIF should not be used as a sole measure of a journal rank. Its limitations can be overcome by complementing it with new alternative journal metrics such as SCImago Journal Rank and the h-index. Examples of application of these new metrics in several subject categories are analyzed.