Abstract
Objectives: This study evaluates the utility of a new measure-the h-index-that may provide a more valid approach to evaluating journal quality in the social work profession. Method: H-index values are compared with Thomson ISI 5-year impact factors and expert opinion. Results: As hypothesized, the h-index correlates highly with ISI 5-year impact factors; but exhibits closer agreement with expert opinion, particularly with high familiarity disciplinary journals. Conclusions: This evidence of convergent and discriminatory validity suggests that the h-index may have some utility in assessing social work journals. Notable advantages of the h-index include its compatibility with the profession's applied research culture and its ability to be used with essentially all journals in which social workers publish.
| Original language | English (US) |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 222-230 |
| Number of pages | 9 |
| Journal | Research on Social Work Practice |
| Volume | 21 |
| Issue number | 2 |
| DOIs | |
| State | Published - Mar 2011 |
Fingerprint
Keywords
- Bibliometrics
- h-index
- Impact factors
- Journal quality
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Social Sciences (miscellaneous)
- Sociology and Political Science
- Psychology(all)
Cite this
Evaluating journal quality : Is the H-index a better measure than impact factors? / Hodge, David; Lacasse, Jeffrey R.
In: Research on Social Work Practice, Vol. 21, No. 2, 03.2011, p. 222-230.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article
}
TY - JOUR
T1 - Evaluating journal quality
T2 - Is the H-index a better measure than impact factors?
AU - Hodge, David
AU - Lacasse, Jeffrey R.
PY - 2011/3
Y1 - 2011/3
N2 - Objectives: This study evaluates the utility of a new measure-the h-index-that may provide a more valid approach to evaluating journal quality in the social work profession. Method: H-index values are compared with Thomson ISI 5-year impact factors and expert opinion. Results: As hypothesized, the h-index correlates highly with ISI 5-year impact factors; but exhibits closer agreement with expert opinion, particularly with high familiarity disciplinary journals. Conclusions: This evidence of convergent and discriminatory validity suggests that the h-index may have some utility in assessing social work journals. Notable advantages of the h-index include its compatibility with the profession's applied research culture and its ability to be used with essentially all journals in which social workers publish.
AB - Objectives: This study evaluates the utility of a new measure-the h-index-that may provide a more valid approach to evaluating journal quality in the social work profession. Method: H-index values are compared with Thomson ISI 5-year impact factors and expert opinion. Results: As hypothesized, the h-index correlates highly with ISI 5-year impact factors; but exhibits closer agreement with expert opinion, particularly with high familiarity disciplinary journals. Conclusions: This evidence of convergent and discriminatory validity suggests that the h-index may have some utility in assessing social work journals. Notable advantages of the h-index include its compatibility with the profession's applied research culture and its ability to be used with essentially all journals in which social workers publish.
KW - Bibliometrics
KW - h-index
KW - Impact factors
KW - Journal quality
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=79751513620&partnerID=8YFLogxK
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/citedby.url?scp=79751513620&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1177/1049731510369141
DO - 10.1177/1049731510369141
M3 - Article
AN - SCOPUS:79751513620
VL - 21
SP - 222
EP - 230
JO - Research on Social Work Practice
JF - Research on Social Work Practice
SN - 1049-7315
IS - 2
ER -