1) Introduction

Research findings and conclusions usually are published in eminent scientific journals to accredited outcomes, citation associations and work recognition. This is of value to experts, professionals, research groups, scientists, academicians, librarians, writers, and authors alike (Nagaraja & Vasanthakumar, 2011).

Quality of scientific research journals usually are monitored through suitable scientometric means. Recognized bibliometric indicators have their benefits and weaknesses. Largely employed indicators embrace: Journal Impact Factor or Eugene Garfield factor (JIF), Eigenfactor Score (ES), SCImago Journal Rank indicator, and H5 indicator (see Fig. 1). Several elements influence the number of citations of a journal, such as journal history and its indexing in an accredited database, rate of international cooperation, and country of publication (Ebadi & Schiffauerova, 2015; Jamali, Salehi- Marzijarani, & Ayatollahi, 2014).

JIF indicator is extensively used and is calculated annually by dividing the number of citations to articles published in the journal in the past two years, by the number of articles published in the journal in the same time frame (Garfield, 2006). Nonetheless, JIF has been criticized for its English-language bias and influence of self-citation (Ramin & Shirazi, 2012).

SJR indicator is based on an algorithm like Google's Page Rank. Citations are based on the Scopus database, spanning over a period of three years. SJR considers journal prestige and status, which gives more weight to citations for highly ranked journals (SCImago, 2017).

ES indicator provides added weight to citations from highly ranked journals, using an algorithm analogous to Google's Page Rank. Citations are based on the Web of Science database, covering a period of five years. Eigenfactor project's website allows access to ES values (Kim, 2016).

Google Scholar (2016) developed the H-5 index for ranking publications. A journal with an index of h has published at least h articles, each of which has been cited h times in other articles, for the period of the last five years.

2) Research objective

This research work addresses the quality metrics of selected United Arab Emirates Research Journals to establish their database coverage in Scopus and Web of Science and to compare, display discrepancies and draw suggestions interrelated to practical bibliometric factors such as JIF, ES, SJR and H5.

3) Materials and methods

Thirty-nine (39) United Arab Emirates Research Journals were reviewed in this study. Suitable information and data were collected from their original sites as presented within the 2015 journal ranking section of SCImago journal and country ranking website [3] provided by Scopus and Google Scholar Citations (GS) metrics and from Web of Science (4) (WoS) Core Collection official website and citations, ISI (5)--and Scopus-indexed journals. It need to be pointed out that the mere inclusion of scientific journals in the ISI does not necessarily lead to an increase in international visibility (Reza Davarpana & Behrouzfar, 2009), (Pouris, 2005), (Andrei, Teodorescu, & Mirica, 2016).

Correlations and links among indicators were assessed using Pearson's and Pearson's' correlation coefficients from the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) version 21.0, 2012 release.

4) Results and discussion

The chosen United Arab Emirates Research Journals covered areas of: agriculture, Alzheimer Research, Analytical Chemistry, Anti-Cancer Agents in Medicinal Chemistry, bioinformatics, cancer, computer-aided drug design, combinatorial chemistry, drug delivery, drug design & discovery, drug medicinal chemistry, drug metabolism, endocrine metabolic, food, gene therapy, genomics, high throughput screening, HIV research, immune disorders-drug targets, molecular medicine, medicinal chemistry, medicinal chemistry, medical imaging, nanoscience, nanotechnology, neuropharmacology, neurovascular research, organic synthesis, organic chemistry, pharmaceutical analysis, pharmaceutical biotechnology, pharmaceutical design, protein & peptide science, protein and peptide, proteomics, stem cell research & Therapy, and vascular pharmacology. Ranking of the United Arab Emirates Research Journals conformed to all four indices (IF, ES, SJR and H5). Pearson and Spearman of SPSS 21.0 expressed correlations among indices. In general, the thirty-nine (39) journals were arranged and indexed in both ISI and Scopus, with 2015 rankings as per SCImago, JIF, ES and H5.

Table (1) gives related information ISI- and Scopus-indexed chosen United Arab Emirates Research Journals. The table obviously shows that very few of the chosen United Arab Emirates Research Journals had the same ranking across the four (4) indices. As such, it is difficult to relate metrics across the all indicators.

In terms of JIF, the most cited top three of United Arab Emirates Research Journals were (JIF score in parenthesis): Current Neuropharmacology (3.753), Current Cancer Drug Targets Journal (3.707) and Recent Patents on Anti-Cancer Drug Discovery (3.533). These journals were closely followed by Current Medicinal Chemistry (3.455). In contrast, the lowest citations were scored by Current Proteomics (0.59).

In terms of Eigenfactor Score, the three journals that classed top were (ES score in parenthesis): Current Pharmaceutical Design (0.03069), Current Medicinal Chemistry (0.02567) and Current Topics in Medicinal Chemistry (0.01162). Current Proteomics also scored the lowest ES score (0.00052) for this research work journals.

Ranking of top three journals as assessed by SJR (SJR score in parenthesis) are: Current Alzheimer Research (1.605), Current Molecular Medicine (1.574) and Current Cancer Drug Targets (1.537). Current Proteomics tailed the record of evaluated journals with an SJR scores of 0.207.

H-5 Index incidentally coincided with JIF for ranking its top three journals particularly (H-5 index in parenthesis): Current Pharmaceutical Design (59), Current Medicinal Chemistry (56) with third placed shared by Current Drug Targets and Current Topics in Medicinal Chemistry (42). These were followed closely by Current Alzheimer Research (37). The trail of journals followed yet a closer score as is shared by Current Pharmaceutical Analysis and Current Proteomics tailed (9).

Table (2) depicts a bivariate correlation between the four indicators (JIF, ES, SJR and H5) for ranking of the selected United Arab Emirates Research Journals. As revealed in the table, there is a high Pearson's (r) statistical correlation between JIF and SJR indicators (r = 0.841) and a rather low statistical correlation between JIF and H5 indicators for journals in the selected category (r = 0.761). This correlation is lowest between JIF and ES values (r = 0.527).

Spearman's rho statistical correlation indicated a high correlation among JIF and SJR indicator for United Arab Emirates Research Journals (coefficient values of 0.871), while a lower correlation was recorded between JIF and each of ES and H5 rankings (coefficient value = 0.728 for each indicator).

Figure (1) represents a bump chart for the top ten (10) JIF-ranked United Arab Emirates Research Journals in comparison with their respective ES ranking. Figure (1)) clearly shows the changing array of ranking of both indicators for the selected journals. Recent Patents on Anti-Cancer Drug Discovery, Current Cancer Drug Targets and Current Neuropharmacology journals were pulled from their leading status.

Figure (2) represents a bump chart for the top ten (10) JIF-ranked United Arab Emirates Research Journals in comparison with their respective SJR ranking. Figure (2) evidently describes the varying assortment of ranking of both indicators for the designated journals. Current Medicinal Chemistry and Current Topics in Medicinal Chemistry Current Drug Metabolism journals were pushed further down the scale.

Figure (3) shows a bump chart for the top ten (10) JIF-ranked United Arab Emirates Research Journals in comparison with their respective H5 ranking. Fig. (2) plainly defines the wavering assortment of ranking of both indicators for the selected journals. Current Neuropharmacology, Current Cancer Drug Targets and Recent Patents on Anti-Cancer Drug Discovery journals showed a retarding grade within this quality index.

Figure (4) illustrates six-scatter plots presentation the correlation between JIF, ES, SJR and H5 (values and rankings) as well as their fit lines for the ten (10) United Arab Emirates Research Journals incorporated in this study. Figures (4-a) and (4-b) displays a linear correlation between the values and ranks of JIF and ES indicators. Figures (4-c) and (4-d) shows a stronger relationship between the values and ranks of JIF and SJR indices. Figures (4-e) and (4-f) exhibits the same correlation between the values and ranks of JIF and

H5. A linear correlation between the different values of indices (ES versus JIF, and SJR versus JIF) is visibly exposed in the figures. Similarly, linearity of relationship is apparent between ranks of ES versus JIF, SJR versus JIF and H5 versus JIF.

Accumulated research statistical data disclosed that sole use of the SJR index does not actually regulate the quality categorization of United Arab Emirates Research Journals as compared to the JIF or its technique of calculation. Since SCImago Journal and Country Rank is a free access source, this suggests that it may be involved as an alternative, or in addition, to the JIF for United Arab Emirates Research Journals. Likewise, the H5 metric would be a dependable instrument for quality appraisal of United Arab Emirates Research Journals.

The four suggested indicators (JIF, ES, SJR and H5) ought to be engaged in an integrated mode to propose a more holistic and comprehensive interpretation of journal quality valuation.

5) Conclusions

In this research work four bibliometric research quality indices (JIF, SJR, ES and H5) were inspected and scrutinized for reputable United Arab Emirates Research Journals. The following conclusions emerged:

([check]) Journal Impact Factor (JIF) is the major indicator used by researcher and academicians for ranking United Arab Emirates Research Journals, periodicals, bulletins and research publications.

([check]) Four journal quality indicators (JIF, SJR, ES and H5) are recommended for an integrated quality assessment for United Arab Emirates Research Journals.

([check]) Bivariate correlation between the four indicators (JIF, ES, SJR and H5) for ranking of the selected United Arab Emirates Research Journals revealed a high Pearson's (r) statistical correlation between JIF and SJR indicators and a rather low statistical correlation between JIF and H5 indicators for journals in the selected category. This correlation is lowest between JIF and ES values.

([check]) Spearman's rho statistical correlation figured a high correlation among JIF and SJR indicators for United Arab Emirates Research Journals, while a rather low correlation was recorded between JIF and both of ES and H5 rankings.

Please Note: Illustration(s) are not available due to copyright restrictions.

References

(1.) Andrei, T., Teodorescu, D., & Mirica, A. (2016). Beyond the Impact Factor: measuring the international visibility of Romanian social sciences journals. Scientometrics, 108(1), 1-20.

(2.) Cantm, M., Munoz, M., & Roa, I. (2015). Comparison between Impact Factor, Eigenfactor Score, and SCImago Journal Rank Indicator in Anatomy and Morphology Journals. International Journal of Morphology, 33(3).

(3.) Ebadi, A., & Schiffauerova, A. (2015). Analyzing Scientific Activities of the Top Ten Canadian Universities. Collnet Journal of Scientometrics and Information Management, 9(1), 93-106.

(4.) Garfield, E. (2006). The history and meaning of the journal impact factor. Jama, 295(1), 90-93.

(5.) Jamali, J., Salehi-Marzijarani, M., & Ayatollahi, S. M. T. (2014). Factors affecting journal quality indicator in scopus (scimago journal rank) in obstetrics and gynecology journals: A longitudinal study (1999-2013). Acta Informatica Medica, 22(6), 385.

(6.) Kim, Y. S., Hong, R.,. (2016). About the Eigenfactor[R] Project, The University of Washington. Retrieved from http://www.eigenfactor.org/about.php

(7.) Nagaraja, A., & Vasanthakumar, M. (2011). Comparison of Web of Science and Scopus impact factors of Indian journals.

(8.) Pouris, A. (2005). An assessment of the impact and visibility of South African journals. Scientometrics, 62(2), 213-222.

(9.) Ramin, S., & Shirazi, A. S. (2012). Comparison between Impact factor, SCImago journal rank indicator and Eigenfactor score of nuclear medicine journals. Nuclear Medicine Review, 15(2), 132-136.

(10.) Reza Davarpana, M., & Behrouzfar, H. (2009). International visibility of Iranian ISI journals: A citation study. Paper presented at the Aslib Proceedings.

(11.) SCImago. (2017). SJR--SCImago Journal & Country Rank. Retrieved from http://scimagojr.com

(3) Website: http://www.scimagojr.com/.

(4) Website: http://www.accesowok.fecyt.es/.

(5) Institute of Scientific Information.

Shakil Ahmad

Imam Abdulrahman Bin Faisal University, [email protected]

Abu Waris

Imam Abdulrahman Bin Faisal University, [email protected]

Isam Mohammed Abdel-Magid

Imam Abdulrahman Bin Faisal University, [email protected]

Md Sohail

Fiji National University, [email protected]

Shakil Ahmad [1], Prof. Dr. CEng. Isam Mohammed Abdel-Magid [2], Dr. Abu Waris [3], Md. Sohail [4]

[1.] Lecturer, Deanship of Library Affairs, Imam Abdulrahman Bin Faisal University Library, Dammam, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Email: [email protected]; [email protected]; Phone: +966558172752

[2.] Chair Unit of Training & development at Deanship of Postgraduate Studies; Head Proofreading and Revision Dep. at the Centre of Scientific Publications; Professor of water resources and public health at Public Health Dept. Of the College of Engineering, Imam Abdulrahman Bin Faisal University, Box 1982, Dammam 31451, KSA, Fax: +96638584331, Phone: +966530310018, E-mail: [email protected], [email protected], Web site: http://www/sites.google.com/site/isamabdelmagid/; isamabdelmagid.net.

[3.] Dr. Abu Waris, Assistant Professor, Deanship of Library Affairs, Imam Abdulrahman Bin Faisal University Library, Dammam, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, [email protected]

[4.] Md. Sohail, Department of Library Services, Fiji National University, Fiji, E-mail: [email protected]; [email protected]

Caption: Fig. (1): 4-star bibliometric indicators.

Caption: Figure (1): Top 10 JIF ranked United Arab Emirates journals in comparison with ES ranking

Caption: Figure (2): Bump chart for top 10 JIF ranked United Arab Emirates Journals in comparison with SJR ranking.

Caption: Figure (3): Top 10 JIF ranked United Arab Emirates journals in comparison with H5 ranking

Caption: Figure (4): Scatter plots showing correlation between JIF, ES and SJR (values and rankings) as well as their fit lines for 39 United Arab Emirates journals.

Table (1): Comparative rankings of United Arab Emirates journals by
2015 JIF, ES, SJR and H5 Index

                                 Journal        Eigenfactor score
                                 Impact Factor
Journal                          JIF     JIF-   ES        ES-Rank
                                         Rank

Current Neuropharmacology        3.753   1      0.0034    17
Current Cancer Drug Targets      3.707   2      0.00525   12
Recent Patents on Anti-Cancer    3.533   3      0.00106   29
Drug Discovery
Current Medicinal Chemistry      3.455   4      0.02567   2
Current Alzheimer Research       3.145   5      0.00778   5
Current Pharmaceutical Design    3.052   6      0.03069   1
Current Drug Targets             3.029   7      0.0102    4
Current Molecular Medicine       2.912   8      0.00745   6
Current Topics in Medicinal      2.9     9      0.01162   3
Chemistry
Current Drug Metabolism          2.847   10     0.00558   11
Mini-Reviews in Medicinal        2.841   11     0.00571   10
Chemistry
Current Gene Therapy             2.738   12     0.00265   19
Anti-Cancer Agents in            2.722   13     0.00596   9
Medicinal Chemistry
Current Stem Cell Research &     2.645   14     0.00208   20
Therapy
Current Protein & Peptide        2.441   15     0.00431   13
Science
Current Genomics                 2.43    16     0.00426   14
Current Vascular Pharmacology    2.374   17     0.00369   16
Current Neurovascular Research   2.123   18     0.00142   26
Current Organic Synthesis        2.05    19     0.0016    25
Endocrine Metabolic & Immune     1.987   20     0.00115   28
Disorders-Drug Targets
Current Organic Chemistry        1.949   21     0.0074    7
Current Pharmaceutical           1.802   22     0.00736   8
Biotechnology
Recent Patents on                1.576   23     0.00039   37
Nanotechnology
Current HIV Research             1.562   24     0.00303   18
Medicinal Chemistry              1.458   25     0.00205   21
Current Drug Delivery            1.446   26     0.00188   22
Mini-Reviews in Organic          1.394   27     0.00058   36
Chemistry
Current Analytical Chemistry     1.238   28     0.00093   32
Current Computer-Aided Drug      1.155   29     0.00064   35
Design
Protein and Peptide Letters      1.069   30     0.00376   15
Combinatorial Chemistry &        1.041   31     0.00186   23
High Throughput Screening
Letters in Drug Design &         0.974   32     0.0012    27
Discovery
Current Nanoscience              0.934   33     0.00172   24
Current Pharmaceutical           0.885   34     0.00032   38
Analysis
Current Bioinformatics           0.77    35     0.00082   34
Letters in Organic Chemistry     0.756   36     0.00102   30
Emirates Journal of Food and     0.623   37     0.00099   31
Agriculture
Current Medical Imaging          0.613   38     0.00083   33
Reviews
Current Proteomics               0.59    39     0.00028   39

                                 SCImagoJournal     H5-Index
                                 Rank
Journal                          SJR     SJR-Rank   H5   H5-Rank

Current Neuropharmacology        1.373   6          31   23
Current Cancer Drug Targets      1.537   3          32   28
Recent Patents on Anti-Cancer    1.323   7          23   11
Drug Discovery
Current Medicinal Chemistry      0.842   15         56   38
Current Alzheimer Research       1.605   1          37   35
Current Pharmaceutical Design    1.22    8          59   39
Current Drug Targets             1.211   9          42   36
Current Molecular Medicine       1.574   2          38   34
Current Topics in Medicinal      0.763   18         42   37
Chemistry
Current Drug Metabolism          0.976   12         39   29
Mini-Reviews in Medicinal        0.451   24         34   30
Chemistry
Current Gene Therapy             1.095   10         30   21
Anti-Cancer Agents in            0.975   13         34   31
Medicinal Chemistry
Current Stem Cell Research &     0.869   14         26   20
Therapy
Current Protein & Peptide        1.43    4          27   27
Science
Current Genomics                 1.387   5          32   26
Current Vascular Pharmacology    0.839   16         30   24
Current Neurovascular Research   0.695   20         24   14
Current Organic Synthesis        0.445   25         19   15
Endocrine Metabolic & Immune     0.717   19         21   12
Disorders-Drug Targets
Current Organic Chemistry        0.486   22         31   33
Current Pharmaceutical           0.769   17         42   32
Biotechnology
Recent Patents on                0.425   27         19   3
Nanotechnology
Current HIV Research             0.979   11         23   22
Medicinal Chemistry              0.318   31         18   19
Current Drug Delivery            0.506   21         23   18
Mini-Reviews in Organic          0.297   34         13   4
Chemistry
Current Analytical Chemistry     0.429   26         13   8
Current Computer-Aided Drug      0.309   33         13   5
Design
Protein and Peptide Letters      0.472   23         22   25
Combinatorial Chemistry &        0.357   29         22   17
High Throughput Screening
Letters in Drug Design &         0.338   30         14   13
Discovery
Current Nanoscience              0.283   35         20   16
Current Pharmaceutical           0.225   38         9    2
Analysis
Current Bioinformatics           0.31    32         19   6
Letters in Organic Chemistry     0.254   36         12   10
Emirates Journal of Food and     0.401   28         19   9
Agriculture
Current Medical Imaging          0.242   37         13   7
Reviews
Current Proteomics               0.207   39         9    1

Table (2): Bivariate correlation between three indicators for ranking
of United Arab Emirates journals

Correlation statistic                         Coefficient value   Sig.

Pearson's r between JIF and ES values         0.527               .000
Pearson's r between JIF and SJR values        0.841               .000
Pearson's r between JIF and H5 values         0.761               .000
Spearman's rho between JIF and ES rankings    0.728               .000
Spearman's rho between JIF and SJR rankings   0.871               .000
Spearman's rho between JIF and H5 rankings    0.728               .000