Uses of the Journal Impact Factor in national journal rankings in China and Europe

This paper investigates different uses of the Journal Impact Factor (JIF) in national journal rankings and discusses merits supplementing metrics with expert assessment. Our focus is used as evidence to support decisions about distribution institutional funding or career advancement. The seven countries under comparison are China, Denmark, Finland, Italy, Norway, Poland, Turkey—and region Flanders Belgium. With exception top-tier journals include those classified at highest level, according tier, points implemented. A total 3,565 (75.8%) out 4,701 unique were identified having a JIF, 55.7% belonging first quartile. Flanders, Turkey classify JIF being top-tier, but only when they quartile Average Percentile. that result from assessment Norway regularly outside quartile, particularly social sciences humanities. We conclude experts, tasked metric-informed rankings, take into account quality dimensions not covered by JIFs.