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How good is the article?

G

I've been searching a bit about the field I would like to do my PhD in later (evo-devo). I've found a couple of interesting groups, but I can't tell how good they are, because I don't know if the journals they published in have good reputations. Is there a list or something for this? And is it better to have one article in say Nature, than 10 in a not so good journal?

G

Hi Confused. You can look at the journal impact factor, see here for as explanation of what this is;
http://www.isinet.com/essays/journalcitationreports/7.html/
However, you may need a subscription to access the most up to date info.

Impact factors are a useful guide, if you can get hold of them. Try looking for the RAE rating of the department as well.

If one of your groups has publications in one of the very big leading journals (eg Nature, PNAS, Science) then the chances are they're pretty well known and respected in their field. If the article's by a large number of research groups then don't give it so much weight.

G

Wim D’Haeze of The Science Advisory Board posted an interesting perspective on the use and potential misuse of Impact Factors in deciding such things as hiring for tenured positions. It's not a bad read. The essay is posted here: http://www.scienceboard.net/community/perspectives.134.html

The Haeze piece builds on earlier commentary by The Science Advisory Board’s Yan Ropert-Coudert and Rory P. Wilson on the long term effect of Impact Factors on the scientific profession.

http://www.scienceboard.net/community/perspectives.88.html

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