From: Victoria Reich <[log in to unmask]> Date: Wed, 13 Mar 2013 03:03:09 -0700 Dear colleagues, This paper may be of interest. Deep Impact: Unintended consequences of journal rank: Björn Brembs, Marcus Munafò http://arxiv.org/abs/1301.3748 hat tip to: http://mathbabe.org/2013/03/08/unintended-consequences-of-journal-ranking/ http://blog.dshr.org/2013/03/journals-considered-harmful.html The authors draw the following conclusions: "The current empirical literature on the effects of journal rank provides evidence supporting the following four conclusions: 1) Journal rank is a weak to moderate predictor of scientific impact; 2) Journal rank is a moderate to strong predictor of both intentional and unintentional scientific unreliability; 3) Journal rank is expensive, delays science and frustrates researchers; and, 4) Journal rank as established by [Impact Factor] violates even the most basic scientific standards, but predicts subjective judgments of journal quality." -- Vicky Reich Executive Director LOCKSS Program The Stanford University Libraries www.lockss.org