Normalization at the field level: fractional counting of citations
Loet Leydesdorff, Tobias Opthof
TL;DR
This paper discusses a new field normalization indicator based on fractional citation counting, which effectively addresses differences in citation behavior across fields and can be applied to impact factors.
Contribution
It introduces a fractional counting method for field normalization that improves comparability of citation metrics across disciplines.
Findings
Fractional citation counting thoroughly solves field normalization issues.
The indicator can be used to derive a normalized impact factor.
Addresses critique of journal normalization methods.
Abstract
Van Raan et al. (2010; arXiv:1003.2113) have proposed a new indicator (MNCS) for field normalization. Since field normalization is also used in the Leiden Rankings of universities, we elaborate our critique of journal normalization in Opthof & Leydesdorff (2010; arXiv:1002.2769) in this rejoinder concerning field normalization. Fractional citation counting thoroughly solves the issue of normalization for differences in citation behavior among fields. This indicator can also be used to obtain a normalized impact factor.
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