Journal impact factors play an increasing role in academics as a tool for evaluating faculty, research, and resource allocations. These evaluations may be effective in departments where the subject matter is reasonably unified. However, given the diversity found within the subject matter of psychology, the impact factors of journals may not be comparable across the various areas. This study compares the average impact factors across decile levels of journals from seven areas of psychology. It is found that impact factor scores are not comparable across the seven areas of psychology. This difference is more pronounced when looking at higher decile journals. Further research could be conducted to investigate differences among psychology areas using other bibliographic variables, including some of the newer indices of individual scholar productivity, such as the h-index.

This thesis presents the results of an investigation into the evaluation of a selected test bridge using instrumentation to obtain site-specific factors contributing to the evaluation, with the ultimate objective of improving the estimate of the bridges reliability in order to assess allowable loading more accurately. The experimental portion of the research program involved instrumenting the test bridge with strain gauges, and recording field measurements using two forms of loading. The analytical portion of the research program involved the analysis of the bridge in the as-designed state, based on the design drawings and specification, followed by a re-analysis of the bridge using the site-specific factors measured on-site. The bridge was evaluated using methods outlined in the Canadian Highway Bridge Design Code CAN/CSA-S6-00 (CSA 2000). <p>The test bridge is located near the community of Hudson Bay, Saskatchewan. The bridge is constructed of steel-reinforced concrete, and there are three, three-span arch-shaped girders. There are also external steel bars added after initial construction to increase the midspan bending moment resistance. In total, 45 strain gauges were placed on the middle spans of the three girders to record strain induced by two forms of loading: controlled loading, in which a truck of known weight and dimensions was driven over the bridge in a number of pre-determined configurations, and in-situ loading, in which normal truck traffic was used. The current allowable loading on the bridge is a gross vehicle weight of 62.5 t, although increasing the allowable loading to 110 t has been proposed, along with two strengthening alternatives to make this increased loading feasible. <p>To provide a base-line analysis for comparison purposes, the bridge was first evaluated based strictly on information taken from the design drawings and specifications. The evaluation was performed using the load and resistance factor method, in which load and resistance factors were used to account for uncertainty, as well as by the mean load method, in which statistical properties of the variables parameters included in the design were used to account for uncertainty. The result of the load and resistance factor method was a live load capacity factor, indicating the overall rating of the bridge. In addition to the live load capacity factor, the mean load method was also used to determine the reliability index. The results of the as-designed analysis showed that the mean load method gave more conservative estimates of the bridge capacity. Furthermore, it was determined that, based on these assessments, the bridge would not have sufficient capacity to carry the proposed 110 t truck loads.<p>The bridge was re-evaluated using site-specific factors with the mean load method. Using the measured strains, statistical parameters were determined for live load effects, distribution factors, dynamic load allowance, and resistance. Statistical parameters that could not be obtained readily through testing were obtained from the literature. The results indicated that code-predicted estimates of a number of factors were highly conservative. Flexural and shear load effects in the girders were found to be less than 15% of the theoretical predictions, as a result of apparent arching action in the girders, generating significant axial forces. For this arching action to occur, horizontal restraint was required at the supports, either through unanticipated restraint in the bearings, or tension tie action of the tensile girder reinforcement. Furthermore, the dynamic amplification was found to be less than 1.0. The resulting reliability indices indicated that the bridge would be safe under the proposed increased allowable loading (110 t). <p>Finite element models were used to confirm the dynamic amplification observations and examine the effects of different degrees of bearing restraint. The model showed results similar to those measured for dynamic amplification. It was found that if the bearings were to become completely fixed against horizontal translation, the bridge would become overloaded as a result of increased shear effects, demonstrating the need for proper bearing maintenance. <p>An analysis of relative costs was completed to determine the most cost-effective solution for hauling logs. Assumptions were made regarding truck and maintenance and operating costs. The results indicated that the most economic solution was to use the method outlined in the research to increase the allowable loading on the bridge to 110 t, over the strengthening alternatives and simply leaving the bridge in the current state.

This thesis presents the results of an investigation into the evaluation of a selected test bridge using instrumentation to obtain site-specific factors contributing to the evaluation, with the ultimate objective of improving the estimate of the bridges reliability in order to assess allowable loading more accurately. The experimental portion of the research program involved instrumenting the test bridge with strain gauges, and recording field measurements using two forms of loading. The analytical portion of the research program involved the analysis of the bridge in the as-designed state, based on the design drawings and specification, followed by a re-analysis of the bridge using the site-specific factors measured on-site. The bridge was evaluated using methods outlined in the Canadian Highway Bridge Design Code CAN/CSA-S6-00 (CSA 2000). <p>The test bridge is located near the community of Hudson Bay, Saskatchewan. The bridge is constructed of steel-reinforced concrete, and there are three, three-span arch-shaped girders. There are also external steel bars added after initial construction to increase the midspan bending moment resistance. In total, 45 strain gauges were placed on the middle spans of the three girders to record strain induced by two forms of loading: controlled loading, in which a truck of known weight and dimensions was driven over the bridge in a number of pre-determined configurations, and in-situ loading, in which normal truck traffic was used. The current allowable loading on the bridge is a gross vehicle weight of 62.5 t, although increasing the allowable loading to 110 t has been proposed, along with two strengthening alternatives to make this increased loading feasible. <p>To provide a base-line analysis for comparison purposes, the bridge was first evaluated based strictly on information taken from the design drawings and specifications. The evaluation was performed using the load and resistance factor method, in which load and resistance factors were used to account for uncertainty, as well as by the mean load method, in which statistical properties of the variables parameters included in the design were used to account for uncertainty. The result of the load and resistance factor method was a live load capacity factor, indicating the overall rating of the bridge. In addition to the live load capacity factor, the mean load method was also used to determine the reliability index. The results of the as-designed analysis showed that the mean load method gave more conservative estimates of the bridge capacity. Furthermore, it was determined that, based on these assessments, the bridge would not have sufficient capacity to carry the proposed 110 t truck loads.<p>The bridge was re-evaluated using site-specific factors with the mean load method. Using the measured strains, statistical parameters were determined for live load effects, distribution factors, dynamic load allowance, and resistance. Statistical parameters that could not be obtained readily through testing were obtained from the literature. The results indicated that code-predicted estimates of a number of factors were highly conservative. Flexural and shear load effects in the girders were found to be less than 15% of the theoretical predictions, as a result of apparent arching action in the girders, generating significant axial forces. For this arching action to occur, horizontal restraint was required at the supports, either through unanticipated restraint in the bearings, or tension tie action of the tensile girder reinforcement. Furthermore, the dynamic amplification was found to be less than 1.0. The resulting reliability indices indicated that the bridge would be safe under the proposed increased allowable loading (110 t). <p>Finite element models were used to confirm the dynamic amplification observations and examine the effects of different degrees of bearing restraint. The model showed results similar to those measured for dynamic amplification. It was found that if the bearings were to become completely fixed against horizontal translation, the bridge would become overloaded as a result of increased shear effects, demonstrating the need for proper bearing maintenance. <p>An analysis of relative costs was completed to determine the most cost-effective solution for hauling logs. Assumptions were made regarding truck and maintenance and operating costs. The results indicated that the most economic solution was to use the method outlined in the research to increase the allowable loading on the bridge to 110 t, over the strengthening alternatives and simply leaving the bridge in the current state.

Class of 2012 Abstract / Specific Aims: To explore whether publishing requirements for human-centered randomized control trials, particularly the CONSORT criteria, have any relationship to impact as measured by the Journal Citation Reports ™ Impact Factor. Methods: A worksheet was used to evaluate a methodically selected list of journals, including types of articles published, requirements of authors for human-focused randomized control trials, JCR Impact Factor and other JCR metrics for each specific journal title. A worksheet was filled out for each journal by each member of the research team and answers combined for consensus. Group means and SDs were calculated and the Student’s t-Test applied to values for selected journals. Main Results: 50 candidate pharmacy journals were identified and 41 met the criteria for publishing human-centered randomized control trials. Journals were grouped according to whether they required CONSORT or had other reporting requirements for human RCTs, or had no requirements for such studies. Few (6; 15%) pharmacy journals required authors to use CONSORT; and additional 15 (37%) journals provided as least some author guidelines similar to CONSORT. Pharmacy journals using CONSORT or other guidelines had a higher average impact factor (3.5; SD = 1.5) than did journals without guidelines (2.4; SD = 0.9; p = 0.007). Conclusions: There appears to be a statistical difference in average JCR metrics between journals which require specific RCT guidelines and those which do not. The use of reporting guidelines, such as CONSORT, by pharmacy journals is associated with increased impact as represented by JCR influence measures.

Le financement de la recherche des hôpitaux français est, pour une part, basé sur le nombre de publications scientifiques, en prenant aussi en compte la position des auteurs (première, deuxième, troisième, avant-dernière, dernière, liste investigateurs, Autres) et la catégorie du journal (A, B, C, D, E, NC). Le profil et l'évolution des publications des six types d'hôpitaux, centre hospitalo universitaire, centre de lutte contre le cancer, centre hospitalier, établissement à but non lucratif, service de santé des armées, établissement à but lucratif, en fonction de ces indicateurs sont évalués sur une période de 10 ans entre 2004 et 2014. Sur les 192 886 publications analysées, les centres de lutte contre le cancer publient en majorité dans les journaux de catégorie B, la catégorie E étant la plus fréquente pour les autres types d'hôpitaux. Concernant la position des auteurs dans les articles, la première position est la plus fréquente pour les centres hospitalo-universitaires et le service de santé des armées, tandis que c'est la position Autres pour les autres types d'hôpitaux. Les données sur les positions d'auteur indiquent que tous les types d'hôpitaux participent à des projets de recherche. Les centres hospitaliers, les établissements à but non lucratif, les établissements à but lucratif et les centres de lutte contre le cancer collaborent avec d'autres hôpitaux ; le centre de lutte contre le cancer se distinguant en publiant dans des journaux de haute catégorie. Sur la même période, pour les centres hospitalo-universitaires, les moyennes, les coefficients de corrélation de Spearman et les droites de régression de Pearson sont calculés entre les variables suivantes par équivalents temps plein (ETP) médical : nombre de publications, nombre de séjours à l'hôpital, ETP de praticiens hospitalo-universitaires et ETP d'internes. Les moyennes par ETP médical sont 0,73 publications, 235,8 séjours et 0,63 internes. Les corrélations entre ces trois variables deux à deux sont faibles. Les corrélations entre la proportion de praticiens hospitalo-universitaires et le nombre de publications par ETP médical, le nombre d'internes par ETP médical, le nombre de publications dans les catégories A et B, ou le nombre de publications en premier et dernier auteurs sont fortes. Les hôpitaux français participent au développement de la recherche à des niveaux différents bien que leurs profils soient tous différents. Parmi eux, les centres hospitalo-universitaires ont trois missions : la recherche, l'enseignement et le soin. Chacun d'eux présentent des modèles différents en termes d'activités de soins, d'enseignement et de recherche. Aucun n'est au-dessus de la moyenne dans les 3 activités. Neuf hôpitaux assurent au moins 2 des 3 missions avec des scores supérieurs à la moyenne / Research activity funding in French hospitals is partly based on the number of publications, while taking also into account author position (first, second, third, second-to-last, last, investigator list, and Other) and journal category (A being the highest category followed by B, C, D, E, and NC). Over the 2004-2014 decade, the profile and the evolution of publications for the six existing types of hospital, i.e public teaching hospital, cancer centre, public non-teaching hospital, not-for-profit private hospital, military hospital, and for-profit private hospital were analysed. Among a total of 192 886 publications analysed, the most frequent category was B for cancer centres, whereas this was E in the other types. The first position was the most frequent for public teaching hospitals and the military hospital, whereas the Other position was the most frequent for the other types. The author position indicated that all types of hospital are involved in research projects. Public non-teaching hospitals, not-for-profit private hospitals, for-profit private hospitals, and cancer centres collaborated with other institutions; cancer centres were often distinguished by publishing in high-category journals. Over the same period, for the public teaching hospitals, means, Spearman correlation coefficients and Pearson regression lines were calculated between the following variables from 2004 to 2014 per full time equivalent (FTE) physicians: the number of publications, the number of hospital stays, the number of FTE university hospital practitioners, and finally the number of residents. The mean per FTE physicians was 0.73 publications, 235.8 hospital stays, and 0.63 residents. The correlations between these three variables two by two were weak. The correlations between the proportion of university hospital practitioners and number of publications per FTE physicians, number of residents per FTE physicians, AB categories publications per FTE physicians, or first and last authors’ publications per FTE physicians was strong. All French hospitals are involved into research activities but with different patterns. Among them, public teaching hospitals have three missions: research, care and teaching. Each of them had different patterns in term of care, teaching, and research activities. None was above the mean for all these 3 activities. Nine had at least 2 of the 3 missions with above-average scores

For biomedical research to improve clinical practice, and for funding levels to be sustained, it is increasingly important to understand the pathways from research to clinical practice and to assess the societal impact of research. Approaches to research evaluation through traditional study of journals, journal articles and standard citation analysis, have played comparatively small roles in these developments. In this thesis I critically review how I applied existing methods, and developed a new approach, to study two pathways from research to clinical practice. For Pathway 1, questionnaire surveys of clinicians' views on journals read to inform their clinical practice, and comparisons with impact factors, revealed that a few journals were read widely and considered important by clinicians. Relationships between journal importance and impact factor were complex. For Pathway 2, I applied a novel methodology to identify important citations to four key research papers in an attempt to trace important citations through numerous citing generations. My findings included: few cited papers were important to the citing papers; the number of citation occasions within the citing paper correlated strongly with a cited paper's importance; self-citations were also important; and it was feasible to trace through a series of generations of citations. Evidence of societal impact of the four key research papers examined in my studies included important papers in subsequent generations cited in clinical guidelines, many of which were international. In assessing the impact of my own studies, I found Pathway 1 papers had societal impact on research evaluation methodology; journal editorial policy; and medical library provision policy and practice. Societal impacts of the new methodology, Pathway 2, included informing further methodological development and research evaluation. My portfolio, together with my critical review, adds understanding and provides additional data to current assessment methods of wider impacts of research, and bases for further studies.

No description available.

This study discusses Open Access and scientific publication. That is, open access to scientific information via the internet. A network-based tool that can help enable and distribute published research globally. Research is considered a resource that should be free of restrictions such as copyright barriers or agreements among publishers. Colleges and University libraries suffer from high costs due to digital scientific publications, while increased profits fall on commercial publishers. Digitization and free access to scientific resources could contribute to socio-economic and environmental-related sustainable development in the society.

The ISI provides librarians with tools such as the Journal Citation Reports (JCR) and the institution specific Local Journal Utilization Report (LJUR) to aid in the management of serials collections. These tools enable librarians to respond quickly to changes in publishing practices and purchasing options. While available literature often criticizes ISI data, few studies provide concrete recommendations for improvement. This study explores two extensions to LJUR: (1) adding citation date and (2) creating institution specific impact factors. In addition, I explore the degree to which self-citations influence the ISI impact factor. Publication and citation calculations are made for three prominent southern universities’ research chemists using a corpus of full text articles drawn from 27 American Chemical Society (ACS) journals and stored in an Oracle database. The ACS research corpus impact factor simulation and ACS research corpus self-citation omission impact factor are also created and compared with current JCR data.

The journal cited frequency is usually an index to weigh an academic research achievement and may provide useful information for the academic society. However, it is spectulated that it may be influenced by factors such as the citing frequencies of other journals, the price of the journal and so on. In this work, as an initial attempt we will investigate the correlation between the citing frequency and cited frequency in the same journal. The data is taken the JCR (Journal Citation Reports) annually published by ISI (Institute for Scientific Information) to understand the relationship between citing and cited patterns. Moreover, Impact Factor from the JCR has also been used as a basis of ranking, we will discuss about the variation in journal ranking in all fields based on Markov chain modeling. The ranking based on a modified impact factor will be used to compare with that by the original impact factor provided by the JCR.