Efficiency analysis of forestry journals: Suggestions for improving journals’ quality

In this paper we attempt to assess the impact of journals in the field of forestry, in terms of bibliometric data, by providing an evaluation of forestry journals based on data envelopment analysis (DEA). In addition, based on the results of the conducted analysis, we provide suggestions for improving the impact of the journals in terms of widely accepted measures of journal citation impact, such as the journal impact factor (IF) and the journal h-index. More specifically, by modifying certain inputs associated with the productivity of forestry journals, we have illustrated how this method could be utilized to raise their efficiency, which in terms of research impact can then be translated into an increase of their bibliometric indices, such as the h-index, IF or eigenfactor score.

► In this study we conduct an analysis for the measurement of efficiency of forestry journals.
► Data envelopment analysis (DEA) technique was conducted.
► External factors that affect the quality measures of the journals were examined using non parametric tests.
► Also suggestions were made for the improvement of certain indices of the study (eigenfactor score, h-index, 5 year impact factor).