On the Cover: The Increasing Impact of EM:IP

Abstract

The cover of this issue featured “The Increasing Impact of EM:IP” by Zhongmin Cui, the journal's editor. Cui elaborated on the significance of the impact factor for Educational Measurement: Issues and Practice (EM:IP), one of the most widely recognized metrics for evaluating a journal's influence and prestige. The impact factor, which measures how frequently a journal's articles are cited over a specific period, serves as a critical tool for researchers, institutions, and funding bodies in assessing the relevance and significance of published work.

Cui noted the challenges in measuring a journal's influence, stating, “As measurement professionals, we are well aware of the difficulties in quantifying almost anything, including the impact of a journal. However, even imperfect metrics, if carefully designed, can provide valuable insights for users making informed decisions.”

He cited EM:IP’s latest journal impact factor of 2.7 (Wiley, 2024), which was calculated based on citations from the previous two years. Acknowledging that this figure might not seem substantial, Cui emphasized that it represents a significant milestone in the journal's history. “The visualization we created illustrates a steady, consistent upward trend in EM:IP’s impact factor over the past decade. This growth reflects our ongoing commitment to publishing high-quality, impactful research that resonates with both scholars and practitioners,” he added.

Cui also stressed the growing influence of EM:IP in the field of educational and psychological measurement. He credited this achievement to the dedication of the authors, the insights of the reviewers, and the ongoing support of the readers. “Everyone's contributions have been crucial to our success, and we are excited to continue our mission to advance knowledge and foster scholarly discourse in the years ahead,” he expressed with gratitude.

The visualization was created using Python, following guidelines established by Setzer and Cui (2022). “One special feature of the graph is the use of the journal's color scheme, which enhances visual harmony, particularly for the cover design,” Cui explained. The data used to calculate the impact factor was sourced from Clarivate (https://clarivate.com/). For those interested in learning more about this data visualization, Zhongmin Cui can be contacted at [email protected].

We also invite you to participate in the annual EM:IP Cover Graphic/Data Visualization Competition. Details for the 2025 competition can be found in this issue. Your entry could be featured on the cover of a future issue! We're eager to receive your feedback and submissions. Please share your thoughts or questions by emailing Yuan-Ling Liaw at [email protected].