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Research Impact Metrics

Provides an overview of Research Impact Metrics

Journal Quartiles

Sample Statement:

"All of my publications are in high quality journals: 35% of my publications are in the top 10% Journals (by SJR), with the remainder in the Q1 Journal Quartile (top 25%)."

Journal quartiles are a way to categorize academic journals based on their impact factor or other citation metrics. They are divided into four groups:

  • Q1: Top 25% of journals in a category
  • Q2: Next 25% (25-50%)
  • Q3: Next 25% (50-75%)
  • Q4: Bottom 25% (75-100%)

These quartiles help researchers identify the relative standing of a journal within its field. Comparing the quartile rankings of journals where your work is published with those of peers can provide a clear picture of your research impact relative to others in your field.

Using Journal Citation Reports (JCR) on Web of Science

  1. Access Web of Science: Log in to the Web of Science platform.
  2. Navigate to Journal Citation Reports: Find the Journal Citation Reports section.
  3. Search for the Journal: Enter the name of the journal you are interested in.
  4. View Quartile Ranking: Look for the quartile ranking (Q1, Q2, Q3, Q4) in the journal’s profile.

Using Scopus

  1. Access Scopus: Log in to the Scopus database.
  2. Go to the Sources Tab: Navigate to the Sources section.
  3. Filter Journals: Use filters to narrow down the search by subject area, title, etc.
  4. Check Quartile Information: The quartile information will be displayed among the filters.

Using Other Tools

  • Ulrichsweb: This directory provides detailed information about journals, including their quartile rankings.
  • Journal Websites: Some journals may display their quartile rankings on their official websites.

Using journal quartiles to demonstrate research impact has several limitations:

  1. Boundary Differences: The differences between quartile boundaries can be minimal, making it difficult to distinguish between journals in adjacent quartiles. This can lead to overemphasis on small differences in impact factors.

  2. Field Variations: Quartile rankings can vary significantly across different fields. A Q1 journal in one field might not have the same impact as a Q1 journal in another field.

  3. Focus on Journal, Not Article: Quartile rankings reflect the overall impact of the journal, not the individual articles. High-quality research can be published in lower-quartile journals and vice versa.

 it’s important to use journal quartiles alongside other metrics and qualitative assessments to get a more comprehensive view of research impact.