Critical Review of ''Frontiers in Cardiovascular Medicine''
📄 Journal Overview
- Publisher: Frontiers Media SA (Switzerland)
- First published: 2014
- Open access: Yes (CC-BY license)
- Indexing: PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, DOAJ
- Recent metrics:
- Impact Factor (2023): ~2.8 (dropped from ~5.3 in 2022)
- CiteScore: ~5.5
- SJR: ~0.86 (Q2 in cardiology)
🟢 Strengths
- Broad scope: covers basic, clinical, translational, and neuro-cardiology.
- Immediate access: all articles are free to read and reuse.
- Rapid review process: first decision typically in ~77 days.
- Ethical framework: COPE member; promotes transparency and data reproducibility.
🔴 Criticisms
- Editorial independence issues:
2015 resignations over editorial decisions overridden by Frontiers staff.
- Questionable peer review past:
Historic concerns about reviewer limitations and rejection mechanisms.
- Predatory label controversy:
Previously listed in Beall’s List (now defunct); still viewed as “grey-zone” by some institutions.
- High volume, variable quality:
Massive growth in special issues and output may dilute editorial standards.
- Volatile impact factor:
Sharp drop in IF suggests instability and potential loss of citation influence.
🧭 Final Assessment
| Area | Evaluation |
|---|---|
| Accessibility & Indexing | ✅ Strong visibility and indexing |
| Peer Review & Editorial Standards | ⚠️ Mixed history; improved structure, but past concerns remain |
| Prestige & Reputation | ❓ Controversial; varies by institution |
| Publication Strategy | 📈 Good for mid-tier research needing reach; not ideal for top-impact work |
💡 Conclusion
Frontiers in Cardiovascular Medicine offers excellent exposure and open-access publishing, but carries historical baggage regarding editorial integrity and quality control. Recommended with caution for standard work; not ideal for high-impact, cutting-edge research.