Spanish Social Science journals in Journal Citation Reports (2006-2010) and its evaluation as an indication of quality in the Spanish scientific performance assessment rules

The assessment of research activity according to international standards has contributed to the internationalization of Spanish research. As a result of this evaluation policy, the number of Spanish social science journals present in Journal Citation Reports (JCR) has increased. In this study we have prepared a descriptive analysis of the presence of Spanish journals in the JCR between 2006 and 2010, comparing the data obtained with those achieved by other Hispanic American countries in the same period. We studied the historical evolution, distribution by country, quartiles and thematic areas, and analyzed the evolution of the impact of major journals. Altogether, 52 Spanish journals were identified in the JCR Social Sciences Edition in the year 2010. As for the subject area, 40% correspond to economics and psychology. In the period of study, the number of journals indexed in the JCR has increased by 2500%. Finally, we discuss the assessment of these journals as a sign of quality by national evaluation agencies, and conclude by recalling that the publication in journals indexed in the JCR is an indication mentioned expressly for the Social Sciences.