Journal ratings in the RSCI as tools for analysis and influence

Abstract

The article considers the ratings of journals in the analytical system Russian Science Citation Index (RSCI) based on eLibrary in the direction of "Mathematics" according to various bibliometric indicators. The analysis of ratings and statistical data of journals show that the introduction of the Herfindahl index into the formula of the integral rating of the RSCI (Science Index) in order to "demonopolize" the field of citing journals does not increase the adequacy of the rating and does not exclude ethical violations. In fact, in the ratings in the field of "Mathematics", the Herfindahl index introduces preferences for multidisciplinary journals and worsens the performance of classical mathematical journals. However, now, even without taking into account the Herfindahl index, the multidisciplinary focus of the journal provides an undeservedly high position in the rating due to citations from articles that do not belong to the category "Mathematics".