International comparison of the influence of China's social science journals indexed by SSCI
[Purposes]This study aims to learn about the international influence of China's social science journals indexed by SSCI and develop the measures to enhance the journal influence.[Methods]We collected the information about the number,impact factor,5-year impact factor,immediacy index,cited half-life,and journal citation index(JCI)of journals indexed by SSCI in six major developed countries(the United States,Japan,Germany,the United Kingdom,France,and the Republic of Korea)and five BRICS countries(China,South Africa,India,Brazil,and Russia).Furthermore,the above indicators of journals indexed by SSCI were compared between China and other countries.[Findings]China's social science journals indexed by SSCI rank third in 11 countries in terms of the impact factor and 5-year impact factor,fourth in terms of the immediacy index,and first in terms of JCI(1.04),which indicate the high overall influence and academic quality of the social science journals in China.However,the cited half-life of SSCI journals in China(5.2)is the shortest among the 11 countries,indicating that China's social science journals indexed by SSCI need to publish papers of far-reaching values in the future to enhance the notability and total cites of journals.[Conclusions]China's social science journals indexed by SSCI should take timely measures to enhance their short-term and long-term academic influences.
Journal indexed by SSCIVitality of journalInternational comparison