Frontiers in Psychology: Overview, Impact, and Academic Standing
Frontiers in Psychology is a peer-reviewed, open-access academic journal dedicated to covering all aspects of psychology. Established in 2010, the publication provides a platform for researchers to share their findings globally without the barriers of traditional subscription models. The journal is currently edited-in-chief by Axel Cleeremans of the Université libre de Bruxelles.
As an open-access publication, it operates under a Creative Commons Attribution license, ensuring that research is freely available to the public and other scholars. This model is designed to accelerate the dissemination of psychological knowledge across various sub-disciplines.
[ไม่มีภาพประกอบ]Key Facts
- Established: 2010
- Publisher: Frontiers Media (Switzerland)
- Impact Factor: 3.8 (2022)
- Access Model: Open access (Creative Commons Attribution)
- Editor-in-Chief: Axel Cleeremans
- Indexing: Scopus, PsycINFO, EBSCO, and Current Contents /Social & Behavioral Sciences
Academic Indexing and Impact
The journal is recognized by several major academic databases, which helps ensure the visibility and traceability of its published research. It is indexed in Scopus, PsycINFO, EBSCO, and Current Contents /Social & Behavioral Sciences.
In terms of influence, the journal reported an impact factor—a measure of the frequency with which the average article in a journal has been cited in a particular year—of 3.8 in 2022. Its standing in the Norwegian Scientific Index has fluctuated; while it held a score of 2 since 2016 (indicating a prestigious channel), it was moved to the "X list" in 2023. This specific list identifies channels where the National Board of Scholarly Publishing and The Norwegian Directorate for Higher Education and Skills seek community feedback regarding their approval status.
| Feature | Detail |
|---|---|
| ISSN | 1664-1078 |
| OCLC Number | 701805890 |
| ISO 4 Abbreviation | Front. Psychol. |
| Language | English |
| Publication Start | 2010 |
Controversies and Editorial Challenges
Frontiers in Psychology and its parent company, Frontiers Media, have faced scrutiny regarding their publishing practices. Frontiers Media was previously included in Jeffrey Beall's list of "potential, possible, or probable predatory publishers," a list intended to highlight publishers that may prioritize profit over rigorous peer review. However, both the Open Access Scholarly Publishing Association (OASPA) and the Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE) have stated they have no concerns regarding Frontiers' membership in their organizations.
A notable editorial controversy occurred between 2013 and 2014 involving a study by Stephan Lewandowsky and colleagues. The research analyzed conspiracy theories among climate blog readers. The journal initially retracted the study in March 2014, citing unclear legal contexts. By April 2014, the journal clarified that the retraction was due to the authors failing to sufficiently protect the rights of identifiable individuals by categorizing their behavior within the context of psychopathological characteristics.
This incident drew attention from outlets like Ars Technica, which noted contradictions between the journal's initial and subsequent explanations for the retraction, and raised concerns about a "chilling effect" on scientific research.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the impact factor of Frontiers in Psychology?
As of 2022, the journal has an impact factor of 3.8.
Who is the editor-in-chief of the journal?
The editor-in-chief is Axel Cleeremans from the Université libre de Bruxelles.
Is Frontiers in Psychology a predatory journal?
While Frontiers Media was included in Jeffrey Beall's list of potential predatory publishers, the journal is indexed in major databases like Scopus and PsycINFO, and both COPE and OASPA have expressed no concerns regarding their membership.
Why was the Lewandowsky climate change study retracted?
The journal stated the study was retracted because the authors did not sufficiently protect the rights of identifiable individuals, specifically by linking their behavior to psychopathological characteristics.
Is the journal open access?
Yes, it is a fully open-access journal published under a Creative Commons Attribution license.