The impact factor with Thomas Broomfield

In this episode, Casy and Rob talk to Thomas Broomfield from Wiley about the impact factor. Thomas covers everything from how it is calculated, what it means, its limitations as well as discussing alternative ways to rate or assess a journal's output. Thomas covers hidden, linked and un-linked citations, describes how to get an impact factor of 254 and explains that sometimes people cite a journal cover image (whilst remaining uncertain about why).


Thomas explains the JIF, the JCR, Web of Science, citation databases, DORA, ESCI, Clarivate, Alt Metrics and how they all relate to That Number. 


"The calculation itself has stayed pretty constant..... what has really changed is the underlying database, what's included, what isn't and what data is being used to make certain decisions."


Thomas is a Senior Market Analyst at Wiley publishers. This conversation was recorded in February 2023.


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