STM Association Society Day Conference , 24-26, April 2018, in Philadelphia , USA

Reflections on the International Impact of Chinese STM Journals*

Helen (Y.H.) ZHANG, jzus@zju.du.cn; www.jzus.zju.edu.cn J of Zhejiang University-Science A/B; FITEE & BDM Abstract: In China, there are 5020 STM periodicals, including 548 English-language journals (E-L Js). To quickly increase the international influence of Chinese journals, the government launched significant initiatives for publishers such as the “Project for Enhancing International Impact of China STM Journals (PIIJ, 2013-2018)” which have achieved some results. However, looking at the STM Publishing technology trend and value, such as “Trust & Integrity”, we need to think deeply about what is a truly high impact journal ?

* All statistics data based on the ISTIC, CAST, GAPP, CNKI, JCR, WoS, Scopus, Baidu, Google and “2017 Blue Book -on the development of Chinese Sci-Tech journals, collated by Fang Bao & H Zhang , 3-26-2018.

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I will share my views with you under the following headings:

1. 2018 Scientific publication Output by Country

2. 5020 STM Journals in China, 10.9% in English

3. Publishing Choices and Impact of Chinese E-L Journals

4. PIIJ: China’s journal development program (PIIJ: Project for Enhancing International Impact of China STM Journals)

1). PIIJ’s plan: PIIJ-1 (2013-2015) and PIIJ-II (2016-2018) 2). PIIJ’s expenditure and category 3). PIIJ’s effectiveness and impact

5. International Journals: What is high Impact?

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2018 SCIENTIFIC PUBLICATION OUTPUT BY COUNTRY Table1shows China’s artic les exceed that of the USA and became the largest in the world, but WE ARE sti l l on the way to learn……

Table 1. The number of STM articles from China exceeds that of the USA and became the largest in the world: 2006-2016

https://www.nsf.gov/statistics/2018/nsf18300/ 4

2018 SEI reported by NSF: The number of articles in all fields from China exceeds that of the USA and became the largest in the world (Table 1).

Source ： www.learned-publishing.org (doi:10.1002/leap.1160)

Table 2. Distribution of journals indexed by ESCI, Web of Science classical index, and Scopus database by country

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We are still on the way to learn… Here, China’s figures in ESCI, SSCI AHCI,SCIE, expect Scopus, are lower than that of Japan or South Korea in Asia.

5020 STM JOURNALS IN CHINA 10.9% IN ENGLISH

548 E-L journals published in China

(including HK, Mac, TW):1887-2017(130Y)

5020 STM journals in China, of which 10.9% are in English On 28th January 2018, the "Blue Book on the development of Chinese Sci-Tech (STM) Journals" was issued by CAST (China Association of Science and Technology).

This reported that there is a total of 5020 domestic STM periodicals [including about 548 English-language journals, see Fig. 1 3-26, 2018]. The Book emphasized: First, China should aim at the world 's leading STM journals and focus on the forefront of global science and technology… Second, give full play to the role of STM journals in academic evaluation… Third, to jointly create a good environment for the development of high quality STM journals in China, and further enhance the overall development level of STM journals… In short, “the construction of world-class periodicals is an important part of pushing China forward from a big country in S-T to a powerful country in S-T.”

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ScienceTechnologyMedicineOther

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117 of 548 from: Hong Kong (80), Macao (1), Taiwan (36)

Fig.1 548 E-L journals published in China (including HK, Mac, TW):1887-2017(130Y) by S T M subject category & decade ( 26-Mar, 2018)

N = 548

Decade

Decade

Total Newly founded 548

355

222

124

36 23 17 7 6 4 2 2 1 1

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N = 117 66

43

23 14

8 5 4 3 2 1 1 0 0

154, 28%

184, 34%

153, 28%

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ScienceTechnologyMedicineOther

STM subject Journals,

1/3 on average ; Few other(Social Science )

1 1 2 2 1 1 0 4 6 9 10 13 22 27 40 5 10 9 10 9 12 10

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48 38

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Since 2013, PIIJ plan has funded ~RMB605 million in two stages (2013-2015, to 135 journals; 2016-2018, to 145 journals) in order to enhance international impact of China’s STM journals. The main evaluation index is JCR’s Quartile ( Q1-Q4 )

SCIE+ SSCI: 177 E-L Js

Q2: 38 Q1: 40

JCR 2016: Total 188 [SCIE(174E+11C)+SSCI(3E)=188(177E+11C) 11C, in Chinese, 177E, in English,

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Year PIIJ Plan

From 2013 to 2017 , Chinese Js into Q1-Q2 have been increasing, which is key evaluation index of PIIJ.

431 414

391 370

345 331

317 310

289 280

264 249

229 221

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Fig.2 431 of 548 English-language journals published in Mainland,

China from 2003 to 2017 (15 year)

PUBLISHING CHOICES AND IMPACT

Of the 431 E-L journals in mainland, about

72% choose to cooperate with overseas publishers for their internationalization

Publishing mode and impact of Chinese E-L Journals

It appears that, of the 431 English language journals in mainland China, about 72% (310 Js) choose to cooperate with overseas publishers for their internationalization in different modes, such Open Access (OA) etc. For example, in the 2016 JCR report, from 177 English language journals covered there, 92% (162) are internationally cooperatively published. In past 30 years, ‘To borrow a boat to go sea’ as we call it, was the only way to the international market. Because up to now, China did not have its own independent international periodical group platform and global market in English such as do Springer-Nature, Elsevier, OUP, CUP, etc.

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PIIJ : CHINA’S JOURNAL DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM

PIIJ –‘Project for Enhancing International

Impact of China STM Journals ’

“Chinese journal development programme” --News from ALPSP Alert, Oct. 2013 1). PIIJ’s plan: PIIJ-1 (2013-2015 ) and PIIJ-II (2016-2018) 2). PIIJ’s expenditure and category 3). PIIJ’s effectiveness and impact PIIJ –i.e. ‘Project for Enhancing International Impact of China STM Journals’ PIIJ Plan : The first stage (PIIJ-I:2013-2015) funded 135 journals; The second stage (PIIJ-II: 2016-2018), funded 145 journals.

1). PIIJ’s plan: PIIJ-1 (2013-2015) and PIIJ-II (2016-2018)

Quote a piece of “Industry News” from ALPSP Alert (Oct. 2013) titled “On the Chinese journal development programme”

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“Chinese journal development programme“ China Association for Science and joint Ministry of Finance, Ministry of Education, National News Publishing SAPPRFT, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Chinese Academy of Engineering have announced a plan for encouraging improvement of China’s English language journals. From the announcement on the Chinese General Administration of Press and Publication (GAPP, now ‘SAPPRFT’) site (http://www.gapp.gov.cn/news/1663/156405.shtml ) ...called the 'Chinese scientific journals enhancement programme‘. The programme appears to offer financial incentives to English language journals based on their setup and inclusion within international indexes.” According to the Fund category , there are A (RMB 2mil/yr ), B (1mil/yr), C (0.5mil/yr), and D (0.5 mil/yr) only for new journal. (total ~615m RMB in 6 years : 2013-18)

Quote: “ALPSP Alert’s Industry news” (Oct. 2013)

Chinese officials call it as “PIIJ “

(i.e. Project for Enhancing International Impact of China STM E-L Journals )

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PIIJ category Funded Journal Number Fund (RMB

million/year) PIIJ-I (2013-15) PIIJ-II (2016-17)

A 15 15 +8* 2×15

B 40 40 1×40

C 50 50 0.5×50

A+B+C 105 Js 105 Js 95

D 10 (total 30 new Js) 20 (total 40 new Js) 0.5×n

Total (A+B+C+D)

135 145+8* ~105+20*

2). PIIJ’s expenditure and category Table 3 shows that PIIJ-I:2013-2015 funded 135 journals; PIIJ-II: 2016-2018 funded 145 journals. According to their categorization of funded journals, there are four types. They are A , B , C , and D that is only for running a new journal. The total is about 665 million RMB (=100 mil. USD) from 2013 to 2018.

Source: CAST & GAPP http://www.gapp.gov.cn/news/1663/156405.shtml & ALPSP Alert: Industry news, Oct. 2013

* In 2017, as the Peak plan, 8 additional funded journals were added to PIIJ-II

Table 3: Funded category, journal number, and financial funds of PIIJ Plan

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1 1 2 2 1 1 0 4 6 9 10 13 22 27 40 5 10 9 10 9 12 10

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48 38

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Since 2013, PIIJ plan has funded ~605 million in two stages ( 2013-2015, to 135 journals; 2016-2018, to 145 journals ) in order to enhance International Impact of Chinese STM Journals. The main evaluation index is JCR’s Quartile ( Q1-Q4 )

SCIE+ SSCI: 177 E-L Js

Q2: 38 Q1: 40

JCR2016: Total 188 [SCIE(174E+11C)+SSCI(3E)=188(177E+11C) 11C, in Chinese, 177E, in English,

N

Year PIIJ Plan

JCR’s Quartile category (Q1-Q4) is key index for PIIJ.

Chinese Js into Q1-Q2 have been increasing in 2013 -17; but 2003-13; few Js in Q1

431 414

391 370

345 331

317 310

289 280

264 249

229 221

208

3). PIIJ’s effectiveness and impact (see Fig.2 )

Actually, PIIJ’s evaluation indicator is mainly focused on the JCR’s Quartile category rank (Q1-Q4). Fig. 2 shows that Chinese E-L journal numbers in Q1 rose from 10 journals in 2013 to 40 journals in 2017, a four-fold increase in 5 years. This contrasts with 2003 -2013 which went from zero to only 10 journals in ten years. In truth, ‘PIIJ demonstrates that China can successfully contribute more high impact factor journals to the global research eco-system ’, commented by an industry consultant in the West. Perhaps you will be wondering how these journals have increased their Impact Factor (IF) so quickly in such a short period? The Table 4 & Fig.3 may answer one of your questions.

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Overseas Publishers Co-publishing journal number Springer Nature (before 2016 NPG owned 17 Js ) 51

Elsevier 28

Wiley-Blackwell 5

IOP Publishing 4

Oxford University Publishing 2

Wolters Kluwer 2

Oxford University Press 2

Cambridge University Press 2

Cell Press 1

IEEEXplore 1

IOP Publishing 1

Global Science Publishing (HK) 1

OSA Publishing 1

Without Cooperation.. 4

Total funded (A+B+C) journals in 2016 105 (Co-pub 96%, No-co 4% )

3 ). PIIJ’s effectiveness and impact: “To borrow a boat to go sea” In 2016, 105 (A+B+C ) journals funded by PIIJ-II: cooperation rate is 96% (101 Js), only 4% (4Js) not cooperating with overseas publishers.

Table 4: Distribution and Number of 105 (A+B+C) Funded E-L Js in co-publishing with overseas publishers in 2016*

18 * Fan Li & Ji Zhao, 2017, “ACTA EDITOLOGICA” 2017-12 (Sup.1)

To further satisfy your curiosity, we take two journals as examples, Cell Research (IF=15.60, No.1) and Light S&A (IF=14, No.2), with the two highest impact factors in China. (Figs). BTW, let’s take a look at their IF, publishing model, the number of articles published, citation geographic distribution, etc. Both journals choose to work with NPG (Table 5): CR started the model in 2006 when its IF was only 2.161. In 2017, its IF was 15.6; Light was only founded in 2012. By 2014 its first IF is as high as 8.476 in Q1. Here we can see since NPG came into China in 2006, there have been a total of 17 Chinese E-L journals opting for the NPG co-publishing model. Most journals’ first IF when cooperating with NPG are into Q1 or Q2 (Table 5).

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Sample: Table 5. From 2006 to 2016: Nature.com Partnership journals in China

Cell Research IF:15.6 Light Sci &App IF:14. Two journal with the highest Impact factor in China (No.1 & No.2)

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Fig.3 Cell Research started co-publishing with NPG in 2006 when its IF was only 2.161; In 2017, its IF was 15.606, which is the highest IF (No.1) among Chinese journals in JCR report: 2006-2017; and CR citation geographic distribution (US:37.5%; China:31.2%; Germ:8.9%), etc.

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CR Citation geographic from USA, 37.5% (816) China, 31.2% (677) Germ., 8.9% (194) …….. In 2016, Number of paper published by CR: 151

Fig.4 Light S&A founded and co-published with NPG in 2012 . Its first IF is 8.476

into Q1 in 2014. Its IFs (2014-16 JCR) has been No.2 in China and its citation geographic distribution (China: 46%; US: 20%; Germ 10%.....).

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Light S&A Citation Geographic from China, 46% (655) USA, 20% (288) Germ., 10% (194) In 2016, Number of paper published by Light: 85

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In order for you to benchmark the ‘citation geographic distribution & the number of articles published in 2016, which are the international indicator for our reference, here we take the ‘citation geographic distribution’ of Science and Nature as a Comparison with CR & Light S&A, which will show us the strong international impact in STM area (see Fig.6 , next slide ) Fig.6. Comparison with that of Science and Nature

Science Citation Geographic : USA, 47 % (2800 ) Germany, 14% (831) China, 14.5% (794)

In 2016, Number of paper published by Science: 2560

Nature Citation Geographic : USA, 45% (3343 ) China, 15% (1131) UK, 14% (1037) In 2016, Number of paper published by Nature: 2746

Fig.5. Comparison with that of Science and Nature

INTERNATIONAL JOURNALS: WHAT IS HIGH IMPACT? What is a standard international journal? What factors do we consider in addition to the Impact Factor? What are the best practices in China or field for evaluating journals? Take JZUS as a sample t o express my v iews on these a spects o f a j ournal .

These questions are not easy at any time, because we like to think of quantitative measures and it looks as if we have a simple one for journals, the Impact Factor (IF). Perhaps sadly for us, we seem to live in an age where we cannot think, nor measure gains and losses, without numbers. So the IF is still with us. Perhaps Eugene Garfield, who invented it, had it right when concluded that, despite its flaws, there is no other better metric to accomplish this task. Personally, I don’t hate IF even though it does make my editorial team so anxious. Here let’s take JZUS ( Journal of Zhejiang University-SCIENCE) as a sample to express my views on these aspects of a journal.

Figs.6-7 shows JZUS-A was funded (A-type) by PIIJ-1 (2013-2015), and not in PIIJ-II (2016-2018 ).

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In PIIJ-1 & II, the ratio of recurrent funded journals is 66% (double funded’ journals), but JZUS-A was only funded (A) in the first stage (PIIJ-1:2013-15), and lost out in PIIJ-II(2016-18) application process, one of the reasons for failure was that its IFs in 2013-2015 were hovering in Q4- Q3, not up to Q2(Fig.6), even though we proposed an effective strategy plan( Fig.7): Focusing ‘Content, Technology, Service and Impact’. Faced with the failed application in Oct, 2016, I told my editorial team : I have to take responsibility for this failure, because we can’t figure out how to jump from an IF of 0.5 ( Q4) to 1.2 (Q2) in less than three years ?

Fig.6 IFs and Quartiles of JZUS-A funded (A-type) by PIIJ- I (2013-15): 2012-2017

JZUS-A in “Engineering multidisciplinary database” -JCR

影响力

Impact

国际化

International- ization

出版诚信

Trusted & Integrity

合作共赢

Cooperation

期刊管理

Management

创新服务

Innovation

可持续

Sustainability

• International inclusion: Ed board Members (50%); peer-review pool from 80 countries, 30000 experts; authorship (50%); cited by overseas (50%) readership (86%) via SpringerLink

• Council/Board Member of ALPSP & Crossref (2011-2017), only one from China

• JZUS is good journal reported by ALPSP in 2014

• Shortlisted 2017International Excellence Award by the London Book Fair, only one from China

• COPE Grant to JZUS in 2011 • First posted ‘Anti-Plagiarism Policy’ in

China in 2015 • Book “Against Plagiarism” published in

Springer in 2017 • Series of publication on China‘s High-

Speed Rail Technology

• Market: SpringerLink overseas download profit is 115 million RMB, 86% from overseas

• China's High-Speed Rail Technology” monograph for Springer, 2017

• IF: 0.6; 0.88; 0.941; 1.2: 2014- 2017 • WoS: Citation geographica: 50%

overseas • There are 30000 peer referees from 100

countries, which is JZUS’s resources from content to global influence www.jzus.zju.edu.cn/reviewer.php

• Service: PPT& Chinese Summary/ In-press Wechat etc. • Conforming to international standards:

CrossCheck; CrossMark; ORCID; Funding Data/Crossref TDM etc.

• Research editors (11 SSCI papers (4 in Q1); 20 papers in Chinese)

• Policy Transparency (Ethics/Review/Edit/Finance) • Management (Reviewer pool/Editorial board/Author pool/List of key labs)

Fig.7 JZUS: International Sustainable Strategic Plan 《浙江大学学报（英文版）》（JZUS）国际化可持续发展战略 (2013-2017 )

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However, when JZUS-A was funded by PIIJ-I’s category A fund in 2013, we launched various services to JZUS-A’s customers (see ALPSP report) including publishing ethics support, etc. In 2014, JZUS-A was reported by ALPSP as a good journal (Fig. 8); In 2017, not only was JZUS (China) shortlisted for an Academic and Professional Publisher Award with OECD (France) and CSIRO Publishing (Australia) by The London Book Fair International Excellence Awards Organization (Fig. 9), but also the JZUS team did a lot of practical research and published a book “Against Plagiarism: A Guide for Editors and Authors” by Springer, funded by COPE, which certainly raised JZUS’s profile on the international scene, but does not rate a score in PIIJ evaluation indicators.

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Fig8. JZUS-A was reported as a good journal by ALPSP in 2014, and shortlisted by LBF International Excellent Awards 2017

Fig.9 JZUS team funded by COPE, did a lot of practical research and published a book “Against Plagiarism” by Springer in 2017, which raised JZUS’s profile on the international scene.

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Discussion : A standard international journal ? 1) Conforming to international standards ( such as COPE, Crossref, ORCID etc. ) 2) Global inclusion (authorship/readership/Global citation; intern. membership for STM, ALPSP, SSP etc.) 3) Opening up the international market (Global readership by Lib./Uni./ Insti. etc)

…….

High impact-quantitatively & qualitatively? 1)Quantitatively--substantial effect on its discipline (Impact Factor, Cite Metric, etc.), 2)Qualitatively--Changing practice in the areas. For example If a journal is cited in policy documents, government reports, or international award etc., would still be a high impact J. 3) International Peer Review and Nomination in a range of disciplines

What are the best practices in China or field for evaluating journals? Facing STM Publishing core values--“Trusted resource & Journal Academic Integrity’ , I would like leave the question for our Chinese colleagues or peer to further discuss …..

Thanks ! ( see the last one)

Helen (Y.H.) Zhang, J of Zhejiang University-Science A/B FITEE & BDM www.jzus.zju.edu.cn jzus@zju.edu.cn

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Here we have turned our eyes to the 6th WCRI that will be held in Hong Kong on June 2-5, 2019 :

http://wcri2019.org/ 6th World Conference on Research Integrity (WCRI)