The Reference Return Ratio

Tove Faber Frandsen (1) , Jeppe Nicolaisen (1)

1 RSLIS - Royal School of Library and Information Science

The paper introduces a new journal impact measure called The Reference Return Ratio (3R). Unlike the traditional Journal Impact Factor (JIF), which is based on calculations of publications and citations, the new measure is based on calculations of bibliographic investments (references) and returns (citations). A comparative study of the two measures shows a strong relationship between the 3R and the JIF. Yet, the 3R appears to correct for citation habits, citation dynamics, and composition of document types – problems that typically are raised against the JIF. In addition, contrary to traditional impact measures, the 3R can not be manipulated ad infinitum through journal self-citations.

Domains: Library and information sciences

Tove Faber Frandsen, Jeppe Nicolaisen. The Reference Return Ratio. Journal of Informetrics, 2008, 2 (2), pp.128-135. ⟨hprints-00328246⟩