Acta Pharmacologica Sinica is a prominent scientific journal, recognized globally for its contributions to pharmacology and related life sciences. Published by Springer Nature, it serves as a platform for disseminating high-quality research from around the world. Journal metrics play a significant role in assessing the reach and influence of scholarly works, offering a way to gauge a journal’s standing within its academic discipline.
What is a Journal Impact Factor?
A Journal Impact Factor (JIF) reflects the average number of citations to articles published in a journal over a specific period, typically two years. This calculation involves dividing the number of citations received in a given year by the total “citable items” published in the two preceding years. The JIF serves as a quantitative measure of a journal’s influence within its academic field, offering a snapshot of how frequently its articles are cited by other researchers. JIFs have been calculated annually since 1975 for journals indexed in the Journal Citation Reports (JCR).
The Impact Factor of Acta Pharmacologica Sinica
As of the latest Journal Citation Reports (JCR) release in June 2025, Acta Pharmacologica Sinica’s Impact Factor is 8.4. This figure positions the journal favorably within its subject categories, such as Pharmacology and Pharmacy. The journal is categorized in the Q1 quartile for Medicine (miscellaneous), Pharmacology, and Pharmacology (medical), indicating it is among the top 25% of journals in these fields. The journal’s Impact Factor has shown a generally positive trend, with its latest reported value of 8.4 reflecting an increase from previous years. Its highest recorded Impact Factor in the last 11 years was 9.21 in 2022, with a low of 2.66 in 2014. This upward trajectory suggests a growing recognition and citation of the research published within its pages.
Why the Impact Factor Matters
The Impact Factor holds practical implications for the scientific community. For authors, the JIF often influences decisions on where to submit their research manuscripts. Publishing in a journal with a higher Impact Factor can enhance the prestige and visibility of their work, aiding career advancement and securing research funding. Readers also use the JIF as an indicator of the quality and influence of the research published within a journal. A higher JIF can guide them toward studies that are likely to have a substantial impact. Institutions and funding bodies may also consider JIFs when evaluating researcher performance or allocating resources, viewing it as a measure of a researcher’s contribution to impactful science.
A Broader View of Journal Evaluation
While the Impact Factor is a widely recognized metric, it is not the sole determinant of a journal’s quality or influence. A comprehensive evaluation considers other factors beyond its JIF. The Immediacy Index measures how quickly articles are cited in the same year they are published, offering insight into the rapid uptake of new research. Other metrics, such as the Eigenfactor Score and Article Influence Score, consider the entire citation network, providing a more nuanced view of a journal’s scientific influence. Beyond quantitative measures, qualitative aspects like the journal’s scope, the rigor of its peer review process, and its adherence to ethical standards are also important considerations for a holistic assessment.