Impact factor of physics journals

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Impact factors for physics journals are primarily calculated based on citation counts, though other metrics also contribute to the overall score. The calculation methods can be explored further through resources like "ISI Journal Impact Factors" or "Journal Performance Indicators." The impact factors vary significantly across different areas of physics, including Applied Physics, Atomic, Molecular & Chemical Physics, Condensed Matter, and others. For instance, in 2002, the top-ranked journal in Applied Physics was "Mat Sci Eng R" with an impact factor of 11.893, while "Adv Phys" led in Condensed Matter with 13.952. There is a notable distinction between what the physics community considers "high impact" and the ISI's algorithmic assessment, which can lead to discrepancies in rankings. The discussion also touches on the persistence of researchers in seeking answers to these ranking questions, highlighting the ongoing interest in journal performance metrics within the academic community.
Erdem
how it is calculated.
what is the ranking of physics journals in 2003
 
Physics news on Phys.org
Physics Impact Factors

Impact factors are calculated based mostly on number of citations. There are, however, many other factors. Do a google search on "ISI Journal Impact Factors" or "Journal Performance Indicators" and you can pull up some formulas that the ISI uses.

Regarding the actual impact factors, it depends on the area of physics. Areas available are:

Applied
Atomic, Molecular & Chemical
Condensed Matter
Fluids & Plasmas
Mathematical
Multidisciplenary
Nuclear
Particles & Fields

Here is some info. for 2002:

Top five ranked impact factor "Applied Physics" journals:
Mat Sci Eng R - 11.893
Adv Func Mater - 4.656
Appl Phys Lett - 4.207
MRS Bull - 3.242
J Appl Phys - 2.281

And the top six ranked impact factor "Atomic..." journals:
Prog Nucl Mag Res SP - 4.808
Adv Atom Mol Opt Phy - 4.524
Chem Phys Chem - 3.862
Atom Data Nucl Data - 3.737
J Chem Phys - 2.998
Phys Rev A - 2.986

Top five "Condensed Matter ..." journals:
Adv Phys - 13.952
Solid State Phys - 6.600
Adv Funct Mater - 4.656
Prog Surf Sci - 4.096
Phys Rev B - 3.327
 
Amazing that Phys. Rev. Lett. didn't make it into any of these top-5 lists!
 
Phys Rev Lett

I was wondering the same thing.

In the physics community, what is considered "high impact" is, as I am sure you would corroberate, different than what ISI considers to be "high impact" with its algorithm.
 
Wow. It only took 4 years to follow up on this.

Zz.
 
moose said:
How is this a coincidence? I wouldn't call two events separated by 3 and a half years coinciding.
It's all relative :biggrin:

Mind you - got to give credit for tenacity, to spend nearly 4 years researching an answer to the original question shows true persistence.
 
Last edited by a moderator:
Say no to necroposting. I mean really, its just bad karma.
 

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