Correlation between CiteScore and impact factor: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Purpose: This study intends to identify and analyze evidence regarding the relationship between impact factor and CiteScore. The reviews also evaluate the reviewed studies’ quality. The study aims to identify the countries publishing on the topic. Design/methodology/approach: The researchers searched eight sources, including WoS and Scopus, to retrieve the literature in the area. The reviewed studies covered different subjects, including medicine, computer science and library sciences. The authors used preferred reporting items for systematic review and meta-analysis (PRISMA) guidelines to screen and select the titles eligible for this review. The investigators identified 13 studies that met the eligibility criteria. The researchers consulted the Boynton and Greenhalgh (2004) checklist for the reviewed literature’s quality assessment. Findings: The correlation coefficient values identified in the reviewed studies confirmed a significant relationship between CiteScore and impact factor. The researchers identified heterogeneity in the data. Hence, the random-effect method of the meta-analysis was applied. The values of the pooled correlation coefficient also indicated a positive correlation between the two indicators. The review identified that most (nine) of the reviewed studies’ quality scores ranged between 10 and 13. The review sheds light on the countries’ research production in the area. Practical implications: The review contributed to the literature (theoretical implication). The study’s results will be helpful for databases (WoS and Scopus), publishers and research community in understanding the relationship between JIF and CiteScore (practical implications). Originality/value: This is the first review and meta-analysis that systematically collected and reviewed the literature that investigated the relationship between CiteScore and impact factor.