Analysis the effect of Self-Citation on the fluctuations of Impact Factor and Journal Quartiles in the PJCR.ISC Database

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

1 Resource Development and Evaluation Department, Citation and Monitoring Institute of Science and technology of Islamic World (ISC), Shiraz, Iran

2 Information Science and Knowledge Department, Shiraz University, Shiraz, Iran

Abstract

Objective: Citation analysis is a critical indicator for evaluating the performance of journals and researchers, as it reflects the dynamic nature of scientific communication and influences the trajectory of scientific advancement. Among the various challenges in evaluating scientific outputs, "unconventional self-citation"—including author, journal, linguistic, organizational, and national self-citation—remains a major concern. This study specifically examines the impact of unconventional journal self-citation (defined as citations of articles within the same journal) on the ranking of journals indexed in JCR.ISC.
Methodology: This descriptive-analytical study employed a survey-based approach. The research population consisted of 1,713 journals across six broad subject areas (Social Sciences, Basic and Engineering Sciences, Medical and Health Sciences, Life Sciences, Arts and Humanities, and Multidisciplinary) indexed in the JCR.ISC system based on the 2023 assessment. Data were extracted from the ISC Scientific Journals System. Subsequently, the impact of self-citation on journal rankings, as well as its relationship with impact factors, quartiles, and article volume, was analyzed using descriptive statistics and SPSS.
Findings: In 2023, 1,713 journals achieved an impact factor. The distribution across quartiles was as follows: Q1 (21%), Q2 (25%), Q3 (24%), and Q4 (30%). The highest impact factors were observed in "Arts and Humanities" and "Social Sciences," while the lowest were in "Multidisciplinary" fields. Compared to the previous year, 896 journals improved their ranking, 588 declined, and the remainder remained unchanged. The mean impact factor of all journals decreased from 0.229 (including self-citations) to 0.153 (excluding self-citations). A significant negative correlation ($p < 0.01$) was found between journal quartiles and the percentage of self-citations. Furthermore, the number of published articles showed a significant positive correlation ($p < 0.01$) with both the volume and percentage of self-citations. A comparative analysis revealed that the disparity between impact factors (with and without self-citations) was highest in the "Social Sciences" and "Multidisciplinary" groups and lowest in "Medical and Health Sciences" and "Arts and Humanities."
Conclusion: Given the high average rate of self-citation observed, it is essential for editorial boards to formulate clear policies regarding self-citation thresholds and to implement strategies for attracting external citations. Raising awareness among researchers and stakeholders, combined with rigorous monitoring of citation performance, is crucial to preventing potential sanctions or suspension from reputable databases. Strategies for enhancing legitimate citation attraction include promoting high-quality research, conducting workshops on visibility and ethical citation practices, encouraging active participation in scientific social networks, and prioritizing the publication of original research. Furthermore, the JCR.ISC system should integrate advanced data-monitoring technologies to detect unconventional self-citation, establish stronger ethical guidelines, and incorporate metrics such as the EigenFactor and SCImago (SCI) alongside the traditional impact factor. Adhering to strict self-citation thresholds within ministerial journal commissions will likely improve both research quality and the standing of national scientific journals.

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References

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Sciences and Techniques of Information Management
Volume 12, Issue 1
March 2026
Pages 94-110

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