In search of best impact factor and citation indexed journals towards achieving the goals of universities

This paper provides an introduction to the concept and importanceof journal impact factor (JIF), citation indexes. The paper takes theform of a short history of JIF, the importance of journalperformance indicators, about calculating and determining JIF andthe significance of using Citation Indexes. Elements of the factorsaffecting impact factor namely scientometrics and journalologywere also highlighted. A guide to locating the best impact factorjournals in various research fields was demonstrated. Despite thatJIF is still a dilemma for some fields of research, academic membersare still subjected to the Key Performance Index (KPI) criteriacompliance for further promotion and excellence service awards ontop of the need to generate high impact research publications.