Impact factor: Myths and realities

Abstract

The Impact Factor was originally devised as an index of the quality of scientific journals and has since obtained mythical proportions. Authors select journals to which they submit their work on the basis of that journal's Impact Factor. Medical school deans and administrators have adopted the Impact Factor as a means of judging the quality of the academic efforts of individual faculty, as well as the aggregate academic productivity of medical school departments. Departmental budgets have been based on the Impact Factor. There are serious questions as to the validity of using the Impact Factor for these purposes.