What is new?
Key findings When identical articles published in multiple journals were considered, the impact factor of source journals predicted the number of citations per article. The association was strong: if the impact factor was twice as high, the article received twice as many citations. By definition, citations to articles drive journal impact factors, but it appears that the converse is also true. Citation counts are not purely a reflection of scientific merit. Journal impact factors are in part self-perpetuated. Other indicators of scientific values should be considered.
What this adds to what was known
What is the implication and what should change?