The Manipulation Of Impact Factors

Sir,

The use of Impact Factors is getting important for scientific journals. There are of course different ways of manipulating these factors.

It has come to our knowledge that editors of some journals are sending copies of articles published in their journal together with the review copy to the referees and ask them if it is possible to include those articles in the reference list. It is of course a brilliant way to increase the Impact Factor for that journal.

We question that approach of publishing scientific articles. We think the authors of the articles should be entrusted to decide on what articles should be referred to. When certain shortcomings are apparent it should of course be handled by the referees. We think that the obvious manipulation of the Impact Factor as described is not honorable.

Sincerely,

Anders Hemmingson, MD, PhD Professor Editor-in-chief, Acta Radiologica

Johan Edgren, MD, PhD Professor Editor, Acta Radiologica

Thorkild Mygind, MD, PhD Professor Editor, Acta Radiologica

Arnulf Skjennald, MD, PhD Professor Editor, Acta Radiologica