Citation and impact indicators for journal evaluation

Abstract

The paper presents a literature review on the use of citations for journal evaluation. Considering that Brazilian CAPES is
currently in the process of reformulating its evaluation policies and instruments and that numerous criticisms of Qualis
have been made by researchers and managers over the years, we aim to discuss journal evaluation considering the role of
citations in scientific practice and the bibliometric indicators derived from them, especially Impact Factor, CiteScore and h
Index from Google. The origins and methodology employed to calculate the three indicators are presented, in addition to the
formula used by CAPES for journals evaluation. It concludes that citation indicators for science evaluation are supported by
concepts and methodologies about citation practices developed over the years, but that they should be employed carefully
and consciously.

Keywords: Journal evaluation. Citation. Impact indicators. Qualis.