The Emerging Sources Citation Index and the internationalization of Spanish scientific journals, with special reference to Psychology journals

Background: Spain is among the countries that have added more scientific journals into the Emerging Sources Citation Index (ESCI), a new product from the Central Collection of Web of Science. The aim of this paper is to analyze the implications of this and quantify the effects on Impact Factors. Method: The Spanish presence was quantified using the Master Journal List, converted to a spreadsheet for data processing. The implications were determined by analyzing the criteria "Journal Selection Process". The effect on impact factors was analyzed through a case study of Spanish JCR journals of Psychology. Results: Until 2015, Spain represented 1.13% of the Central Collection. With the 568 journals included in the ESCI, that presence has increased to 3.37%. The areas benefitting most were Social Sciences and Humanities. As a general effect, citation in Psychology journals has increased by an average of 13.18%. Conclusions: The situation fostered by the ESCI will significantly improve the number and position of Spanish journals with impact factors in the short and medium term. Currently, their citations have already significantly influenced an increase of the impact of Spanish journals included in the Journal Citation Reports.