Title
Modeling the probabilistic distribution of the impact factor.
Abstract
The study of the informetric distributions, such as distributions of citations and impact factors is one of the most relevant topics in the current informetric research. Several laws for modeling impact factor based on ranks have been proposed, including Zipf, Lavalette and the two-exponent law proposed by Mansilla et al. (2007). In this paper, the underlying probabilistic quantile function corresponding to the Mansilla's two-exponent law is obtained. This result is particularly relevant, since it allows us to know the underlying population, to learn about all its features and to use statistical inference procedures. Several probabilistic descriptive measures are obtained, including moments, Lorenz and Leimkuhler curves and Gini index. The distribution of the order statistics is derived. Least squares estimates are obtained. The different results are illustrated using the data of the impact factors in eight relevant scientific fields. (C) 2011 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
Year
DOI
Venue
2012
10.1016/j.joi.2011.09.005
Journal of Informetrics
Keywords
Field
DocType
Impact factor,Quantile function,Moments,Lorenz andLeimkuhler curves,Gini index,Least squares estimates
Econometrics,Least squares,Zipf's law,Population,Data mining,Quantile function,Statistical inference,Probabilistic logic,Order statistic,Statistics,Mathematics,Impact factor
Journal
Volume
Issue
ISSN
6
1
1751-1577
Citations 
PageRank 
References 
5
0.51
20
Authors
3
Name
Order
Citations
PageRank
José María Sarabia1367.61
Faustino Prieto2102.08
Carmen Trueba360.86