Journal metrics can be used to measure, compare, and rank journals in research areas. Journal metrics do NOT measure the quality of the research published in a journal - the best way to do that is by providing peer review of the journals' contents. However, journal metrics can help us distinguish journals that are important to particular fields or are considered top resources for particular topics.
There are several databases you can use to find journal metrics. Make sure you are on the Northwestern VPN to access the full versions of databases subscribed to by Galter Library. Useful information about journal-level metrics can also be found in the Metrics & Impact Core GalterGuide.
| Database | Data Source | Link | Availability |
Metrics Included (Abbrev.) |
| Journal Citation Reports by Clarivate Analytics | All journals in the Web of Science Core Collection receive Impact Factors: Science Citation Index-Expanded and Social Sciences Citation Index Arts & Humanities Index, Emerging Sources Index | https://jcr.clarivate.com/jcr/home?app=jcr&lnit=Yes&authCode=null&SrcApp-IC2LS | No free version; Galter Library full version |
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| Sources by Elsevier's Scopus | 29,200 journals from all subject areas in Scopus | https://www.scopus.com/sources.uri?zone=TopNavBar&origin=journalEvalPage | Limited free version; Galter Library full version |
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| SCImago Journal Rank | 29,200 journals from all subject areas in Scopus | https://www.scimagojr.com | Full free version |
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| Journal Indicators by CWTS | 29,200 journals from all subject areas in Scopus | https://www.journalindicators.com/ | Full free version |
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