Abstract:

[Purposes] This study aims to analyze the relationship between impact factors and the article processing charges (APC) of Elsevier's open access medical journals, providing reference data for pricing and management of similar open access journals in China. [Methods] A search was conducted on the Elsevier website. As of May 29, 2023, there had been 1180 open access medical journals. Journals with complete APC and impact factor data (623 valid entries) were selected. 623 data entries were classified for comparative analysis based on impact factor distribution. Additionally, comparisons were made between fully open access and hybrid open access journals. Correlations between impact factors and APC were studied, with individual interpretations for data not following typical patterns. [Findings] The APC has a linear positive correlation with the impact factor in 95% of the journals. However, the APC of five journals of Cell Press deviates from linear pattern. Hybrid journals had higher average APC and lower average impact factor than fully open access journals. [Conclusions] In Elsevier's open access medical journals, as the impact factor increases, the APC also gradually increases. The journal brand is an important factor in the pricing of APC. The results suggest that the pricing of APC of a journal should consider impact factors, and the journal management needs to balance the APC and impact factors in their strategies.

Key words: Open access, Article processing charge, Impact factor, Journal management, Marketing strategy

摘要：

【目的】 通过分析Elsevier医学专业开放获取期刊的影响因子与论文处理费之间的关系,为中国同类开放获取期刊的论文处理费定价策略和经营路线提供参考依据。【方法】 对Elsevier官网进行检索,截至2023年5月29日,其共有1180种医学专业开放获取期刊。从中筛选出含有论文处理费与影响因子完整数据的期刊,共获得623条有效数据。首先根据影响因子分布规律对这623条数据进行分区比较分析,进一步区分完全开放获取期刊与混合开放获取期刊,再进行比较分析。寻找影响因子与论文处理费之间的相关性规律,对不符合规律的数据给予单独解读。【结果】 分区统计结果显示,95%的期刊的论文处理费定价与影响因子呈线性正相关。而Cell系列5种期刊的论文处理费有特殊的定价标准,不符合线性规律。从整体情况分析,混合开放获取期刊的平均论文处理费高于完全开放获取期刊,而混合开放获取期刊的平均影响因子低于完全开放获取期刊。【结论】 随着影响因子升高,Elsevier医学专业开放获取期刊的论文处理费定价也逐渐升高,期刊品牌也是论文处理费定价的重要因素。这启发严肃的期刊经营者,在论文处理费定价时应辩证考虑影响因子等因素,同时需要权衡论文处理费与影响因子来制定期刊经营路线。

关键词: 开放获取, 论文处理费, 影响因子, 期刊经营, 市场策略