There is an electronic discussion/article in BMJ on impact factors and whether the scientific community should get rid of them and if so what should be used in their place.

The discussion is entitled Let's dump impact factors, BMJ 2004;329 (16 October), doi:10.1136.

It is a lively discussion and it is definite conundrum. How does one measure publishing success without hurting academia or scientific research?

Because the effects the publishing community it effects libraries as well. I can't tell you how many times I have gone to a journal's web site to be greated with their impact factor in bold letters, sometimes more prominent than the titles of articles listed. Addtionally there is a big brew ha ha over open access journals and their impact factors.

I find this debate interesting and I thought I would share it with all of you.