The comparison of Impact Factor and self citation trend between French and German journals

All French and German journals indexed in the Journal Citation Reports through 2000-2005 were analysed. The study showed that the portion of French journals entering material to the JCR data bank in 2005 counted 1% whereas the portion of German journals at the same time is 4 times higher. From a total number of 6,088 journals in the JCR in 2005, 427 (7%) were published in Germany, 146 (2%) were published in France, The 6,088 journals in the JCR produced 847,114 articles, 50,276 (6%) appeared in the German journals and 13,913 (2%) in French journals. Of the 22,353,992 citations in 2005, 861,190 (4%) came from German journals and 179,585 (1%) came from French journals. Analysis of data showed that there is a correlation between total-citation and Impact Factors of German journals as well as French journals indexed in the JCR. 32.9% of all citation by German journals in the JCR in 2005 belong to the 7% of German journals with IF > 3, and 67.1% of total-citation belong to 93% of journals with IF2. From a total number of 433 German journals in 2000 indexed in the JCR, 91% of all population has self-citation rate from 1% to 79%, and from all 427 German journals in 2005, 96% of all population has self-citation rate from 1% to 72%. From a total number of 161 French journals indexed in the JCR in 2000, 82% has self-citation rate from 1% to 100%, and from all 146 French journals in 2005, 86% of all population has self-citation rate from 1% to 79%. The study further showed that the self-citation rates of all German journals in 2000 as well as in 2005 stayed at 12%. The self-citation rate of French journals in 2000 and 2005 are respectively 13% and 12%. The mean value of French journals IFs in 2005 stays 0.25 more than 2000 whereas the mean value of German journals IFs in 2005 shows 0.31 increase with compare to the year 2000.Peer Reviewe