Since 2000, SSEC researchers and scientists have published nearly 900 peer reviewed articles to scholarly journals. The volume of research by itself is impressive, but looking at that number in tandem with other bibliometric factors, including the impact of the journal and number of citations, brings the impact of SSEC research into clearer focus. “Bibliometrics” refers to a set of quantitative criteria which determine the overall impact of the journal through content and citation analysis, as well as collaboration and dissemination of data through scholarly channels.
The Journal Impact Factor, a system of evaluating the relationship between cited and citing journals developed by Thomson Reuters, demonstrates the influence of certain journals. This helps to situate the a specific publication within the larger framework of scientific communication within and between disciplines. The data can also be examined to show changes in subjects, citations, and communication over time.
We can use the Journal Impact Factor specifically on SSEC generated publications to show the extent of reach for articles. For example, publications such as Nature and Science are have extremely high impact factors because they are widely read and cited by scientists. Smaller, more discipline specific journals have a lower impact factor because while they may still be cited, they are catering to a specific audience and have smaller circulations.
Scientists at SSEC have published in dozens of journals since 2000, and the infographic to the left demonstrates the influence of the top seven journals according to the bibliometrics developed by Thomson Reuters using the InCites software.