Information Services Newsletter
Journal Citation Reports on the web (JCR)

If you are undertaking research and wish to publish in an academic journal then the JCR is the ideal tool. JCR is the only journal evaluation resource that provides statistical information based on citation data. It will enable you to identify the key journals in which to publish, confirm the status of journals in which you or others have published and also identify those titles that are relevant to your research. JCR includes virtually all specialities in the areas of social sciences, science and technology. Among other topics the JCR can show you the following subject areas: Communication, Criminology and Penology, Economics, Education, Law, Politics, Social Issues and Women’s Studies. JCR is available in two formats:

1. The Social Sciences Edition contains data from roughly 1,500
    journals in the social sciences.

2. The Science Edition contains data from roughly 5,000 journals in
    the areas of science and technology.

The four key areas are:

• Highest impact journals - This is a measure of the frequency with which the average article has been cited in a particular year and allows you to evaluate a journal’s relative importance. It allows you to see which journals received the highest average citations per recent article, which is useful when comparing journals of varying sizes.

• Most frequently used journals - This allows you to see which journals received the highest number of citations and how often a journal was used.

• Hottest journals - The JCR reports the average number of times a journal’s current articles are cited in the same year they are published. This “Immediacy Index” can indicate journals that are publishing the most up to date research in fast moving specialities.

• Largest journals - Ranks journals by the number of articles published in the current year. This allows you compare journals in terms of size and to identify the small number of titles that typically accounts for the majority of articles.

Accessing JCR
The Journal Citation Reports is located on the main library web page. Click on GO beside Electronic Resources, then click on J and you will see the JCR. You will require your Athens username and password to log in. It can be accessed both within and outside the university.

Niall Burns