Guides & Tutorials: Journal Impact : CiteScore

Understanding journal impact metrics is essential for researchers, editors, and institutions. Two commonly used metrics are CiteScore and Impact Factor, each calculated using different databases and methodologies.

Database: Scopus (Elsevier)

Time Window: 3 years

Document Types: Articles, reviews, conference papers, book chapters, data papers

CiteScore calculates citation impact using Elsevier's Scopus database. Its broader inclusion of document types provides a comprehensive picture of a journal’s overall influence within the academic community.

Database: Web of Science (Clarivate)

Time Window: 2 years

Document Types: Articles and reviews (citable documents only)

Impact Factor focuses on a narrower set of documents and uses the Web of Science database. While widely recognized, its transparency in defining "citable documents" can be less clear compared to CiteScore.

Indexing Database: CiteScore uses Scopus, Impact Factor uses Web of Science.

Citation Window: CiteScore uses 3 years, Impact Factor uses 2 years.

Document Inclusion: CiteScore is broader, Impact Factor is more restrictive.

Implications: Metrics may yield different journal rankings and visibility depending on the field and publication type.

CiteScore offers a broader and more inclusive metric, ideal for comprehensive research evaluation, while Impact Factor is more selective, focusing on high-impact articles and reviews. Understanding these differences helps researchers, journal editors, and institutions make informed decisions regarding publication strategies and research evaluation.