viitetekijä

A viitetekijä, often translated as "citation factor" or "reference factor" in English, is a statistical indicator used in the academic and scientific world to measure the influence or importance of a publication, author, or research field. It is derived from the analysis of citations, which are references made by other scholarly works to a particular piece of research.

The core principle behind a viitetekijä is that research which is frequently cited by others is likely to be more influential or significant. This can be applied at different levels. A journal viitetekijä, for instance, reflects the average number of citations received by articles published in a specific journal over a defined period. Similarly, an author's viitetekijä can be calculated by summing up the citations their published works have received.

These metrics are commonly used in academic evaluations, such as for grant applications, tenure decisions, and the ranking of research institutions. However, the interpretation and application of viitetekijät are not without controversy. Critics point out that citation counts can be influenced by various factors, including the ease of access to research, the popularity of a subject area, and even self-citation practices. Therefore, while a useful tool for understanding research impact, viitetekijät are often considered in conjunction with other qualitative assessments.