Abstract

A proposal for a qualitative classification of scientific journals specialized in social sciences and humanities is presented. The main objective of CIRC (in Spanish, Clasificación integrada de revistas científicas) is to become a tool to obtain bibliometrics indicators for different levels of aggregation based on the quality of publications. The ranking is the result of consensus of experts in the field of bibliometrics and research evaluation. The resulting classification consists of four groups of journals (gA, gB, gC, gD) configured according to the visibility of the journals; a fifth group of excellence was created with the most relevant journals (gEx). To create groups and determine quality of the journals, various lists and databases referenced in Cneai and Aneca standards were used. Finally, we illustrate the use of CIRC applying it to the scientific production of the departments of Social Sciences at the University of Granada.

Abstract

The ISOC database is presented as an information system that is very useful for the dissemination and the study of scientific production in human and social sciences in Spain since 1975. First of all, an historical overview is proposed. Secondly, quality elements that distinguish ISOC from other documentary systems are described. Thirdly, its suitability for bibliometric studies on the scientific production of these subjects published in Spain is discussed. Finally, some data about its use by the scientific and scholarly community are presented.