Factors affecting citation rates in environmental science

Analysis of 131 publications during 2006–2007 by staff of the School of Environmental Science and Management at Southern Cross University reveals that the journal impact factor, article length and type (i.e., article or review), and journal self-citations affect the citations accrued to 2012. Authors seeking to be well cited should aim to write comprehensive and substantial review articles, and submit them to journals with a high impact factor which has previously carried articles on the topic. Nonetheless, strategic placement of articles is complementary to, and no substitute for careful crafting of good quality research. Evidence remains equivocal regarding the contribution of an author's prior publication success (h-index) and of open-access journals.

► Journal impact factor, article length, type (research, review), and journal self-citations affect citation rates.
► The effect of author's prior publication success (h-index) and of open-access journals on citation rate is inconclusive.
► Comprehensive review articles in relevant journals with high impact factors are likely to be highly cited.