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Citation metrics and KPIs

What are Citation metrics?

Finding the right Citation metrics can seem daunting, particularly when you're focused on your daily workload. For this reason, we've compiled a selection of examples to fuel your inspiration.

Copy these examples into your preferred app, or you can also use Tability to keep yourself accountable.

Find Citation metrics with AI

While we have some examples available, it's likely that you'll have specific scenarios that aren't covered here. You can use our free AI metrics generator below to generate your own strategies.

Examples of Citation metrics and KPIs

Metrics for Journal Performance Assessment

  • 1. Impact Factor

    Measures the average number of citations received in a year by articles published in the journal during the previous two years

    What good looks like for this metric: Typical values range from 0 to 10 depending on the field

    Ideas to improve this metric
    • Increase the quality and relevance of published articles
    • Encourage authors to cite published works in future papers
    • Collaborate with renowned researchers to publish high-impact papers
    • Promote journal content through academic conferences
    • Optimise search engine visibility of journal articles
  • 2. Citations Per Article

    Average number of citations received per article published in the journal

    What good looks like for this metric: Averages vary significantly by discipline, commonly above 5 for high-impact journals

    Ideas to improve this metric
    • Encourage authors to engage in citation networks
    • Promote open access to increase visibility and citability
    • Publish review articles that tend to accumulate more citations
    • Increase engagement with social media channels
    • Facilitate easy access and sharing of articles
  • 3. Submission to Publication Time

    Average time taken from the submission of a manuscript to its publication in the journal

    What good looks like for this metric: 3-6 months is typical for many journals

    Ideas to improve this metric
    • Streamline the peer-review process
    • Implement digital tools to manage manuscripts efficiently
    • Ensure clarity in submission guidelines to reduce revisions
    • Communicate regularly with authors and reviewers
    • Offer expedited review process options for a fee
  • 4. Acceptance Rate

    Percentage of submitted manuscripts accepted for publication

    What good looks like for this metric: Ranges from 5% to 25% depending on journal selectivity

    Ideas to improve this metric
    • Establish clear publication standards
    • Provide constructive feedback to authors for improvement
    • Ensure rigorous peer-review process
    • Maintain transparency in rejection criteria
    • Adjust submission requirements to attract high-quality manuscripts
  • 5. Journal Reach and Readership

    Measures the size and engagement level of the journal's audience, including geographic reach and reader demographics

    What good looks like for this metric: 2000 to 5000 monthly visitors for established journals

    Ideas to improve this metric
    • Enhance outreach efforts through academic networks
    • Develop partnerships with universities and research institutions
    • Utilise email newsletters to engage and grow subscriber base
    • Optimise journal content with SEO techniques
    • Leverage analytics to understand and target audience interests

Tracking your Citation metrics

Having a plan is one thing, sticking to it is another.

Don't fall into the set-and-forget trap. It is important to adopt a weekly check-in process to keep your strategy agile – otherwise this is nothing more than a reporting exercise.

A tool like Tability can also help you by combining AI and goal-setting to keep you on track.

Tability Insights DashboardTability's check-ins will save you hours and increase transparency

More metrics recently published

We have more examples to help you below.

Planning resources

OKRs are a great way to translate strategies into measurable goals. Here are a list of resources to help you adopt the OKR framework:

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