For your article you have analysed data in the set of journals ISI has named MEDICINE, RESEARCH & EXPERIMENTAL. This is a rather odd set of journals. On the one hand, there are 50 journals which have a general scope (e.g. Nat Med, Clin Invest Med). These journals fit well into this category.
On the other hand, there are 26 journals with a very specific scope (e.g. Laryngoscope and Genet Counsel). These journals do not fit well into this category - they are mis-categorized. The journal Laryngoscope is also put in the ISI-subject category OTORHINOLARYNGOLOGY, where it fits well. Genet Counsel is also put in three other categories, including GENETICS & HEREDITY. This journal also fits these other categories better.
My suggestion would be to either test your hypothesis on a more fitting set of journals (with a more specific scope) or on the abridged set of 50 journals in the category MEDICINE, RESEARCH & EXPERIMENTAL which have a general scope.
Cordially,
Jan
J.W. Schoones, MA
Walaeus Library
Collection Development Coordinator / Information specialist
ISI Subject Category may be misleading
28 December 2007
Dear Darren,
For your article you have analysed data in the set of journals ISI has named MEDICINE, RESEARCH & EXPERIMENTAL. This is a rather odd set of journals. On the one hand, there are 50 journals which have a general scope (e.g. Nat Med, Clin Invest Med). These journals fit well into this category.
On the other hand, there are 26 journals with a very specific scope (e.g. Laryngoscope and Genet Counsel). These journals do not fit well into this category - they are mis-categorized. The journal Laryngoscope is also put in the ISI-subject category OTORHINOLARYNGOLOGY, where it fits well. Genet Counsel is also put in three other categories, including GENETICS & HEREDITY. This journal also fits these other categories better.
My suggestion would be to either test your hypothesis on a more fitting set of journals (with a more specific scope) or on the abridged set of 50 journals in the category MEDICINE, RESEARCH & EXPERIMENTAL which have a general scope.
Cordially,
Jan
J.W. Schoones, MA
Walaeus Library
Collection Development Coordinator / Information specialist
Leiden University Medical Center
C1-Q
PO Box 9600
2300 RC Leiden
The Netherlands
31-71-5262182
j.w.schoones@lumc.nl
http://www.lumc.nl/1060/persoonlijke%20pagina/jan.html
Competing interests
No competing interests.