Determinants of impact factor and Eigenfactor score in otolaryngology journals

OBJECTIVE: This study aims to identify determinants of high impact, measured by Impact Factor (IF) and Eigenfactor score, among otolaryngology journals. METHODS: Bibliometric data of “otorhinolaryngology” journals were collected from the Journal Citation Reports (JCR) database. For the years 2009–2020, we collected normalized Eigenfactor score, 5‐year IF, immediacy index, fraction of IF from journal‐self citation, proportion and magnitude of published citable articles, and total citation counts. High‐IF and ‐Eigenfactor journals were considered those within the top‐quartile of that metric each respective year. RESULTS: High‐IF and ‐Eigenfactor otolaryngology journals displayed higher 5‐year IFs, immediacy indexes, and IF without self‐citation (p < .05 for all years) including total citations counts and citable articles when ranked by Eigenfactor (p < .05 for all years). Otolaryngology IF correlated with 5‐year IF and immediacy index within the same year (p < .05 for all years) and from previous years (p < .05 for all years; p < .05 for 2017‐2018; p > .05 for 2009‐2016). Eigenfactor correlated with 5‐year IF, total citation counts, and citable articles within the same year (p < .05 for all years) and previous years (p < .05 for 2013–2018). Multilinear regression revealed that 5‐year IF (p < .05 for 2009–2018) and immediacy index from the prior 2 years (p < .05 for 2017‐2018; p > .05 for 2009‐2016) predicted 2019 IF. Similarly, 5‐year IF, total citation counts, and citable articles (p < .05 for 2013–2018) predicted 2019 Eigenfactor score. CONCLUSION: Sustained publication of impactful articles is the dominant driver of high IF and Eigenfactor score. Eigenfactor score reflects a unique evaluation of otolaryngology journals; ranking otolaryngology journals by their Eigenfactor scores significantly alters journal ranking compared to ranking by IF. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: NA.