ABSTRACT. The theory that we shall seek to elaborate here puts considerable emphasis on the impact factor’s establishment as a crucial criterion of evaluation and achievement, the pressure resulting from the need to publish in high impact factor journals, and the potential for abuse and manipulation of the traditional impact factor. Our analysis complements the growing literature on the pressures of the scientific system challenges for those involved in the scientific publication process, self-assessment of research quality prior to submission for publication, and the extent to which the impact factor indicates the quality of a journal. pp. 115–122

Keywords: impact factor, evaluation, citation, journal, research