Journal of Public Policy

Aims & Scope

The Journal of Public Policy applies social science theories and concepts to significant political, economic and social issues and to the ways in which public policies are made.

Its articles deal with topics of concern to public policy scholars in America, Europe, Japan and other advanced industrial nations.

The journal often publishes articles that cut across disciplines, such as environmental issues, international political economy, regulatory policy and European Union processes.

Its peer reviewers come from up to a dozen social science disciplines and countries across three continents, thus ensuring both analytic rigour and accuracy in reference to national and policy context.

View Aims & Scope

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Metrics & Ranking

Impact Factor

Year	Value
2025	2.1
2024	1.90

SJR (SCImago Journal Rank)

Year	Value
2024	0.964

Quartile

Year	Value
2024	Q1

h-index

Year	Value
2024	58

Journal Rank

Year	Value
2024	5139

Journal Citation Indicator

Year	Value
2024	314

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Abstracting & Indexing

Journal is indexed in leading academic databases, ensuring global visibility and accessibility of our peer-reviewed research.

• Scopus
• Google Scholar
• Web of Science

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Subjects & Keywords

Journal’s research areas, covering key disciplines and specialized sub-topics in Environmental Science and Social Sciences, designed to support cutting-edge academic discovery.

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Most Cited Articles

The Most Cited Articles section features the journal's most impactful research, based on citation counts. These articles have been referenced frequently by other researchers, indicating their significant contribution to their respective fields.

• The Politics of Blame Avoidance

  Citation: 1156

  Authors: R. Kent

• Top-Down and Bottom-Up Approaches to Implementation Research: a Critical Analysis and Suggested Synthesis

  Citation: 1071

  Authors: Paul A.

• What is Lesson-Drawing?

  Citation: 802

  Authors: Richard

• From the Positive to the Regulatory State: Causes and Consequences of Changes in the Mode of Governance

  Citation: 690

  Authors: Giandomenico

• Focusing Events, Mobilization, and Agenda Setting

  Citation: 657

  Authors: THOMAS A.

• Policy Learning and Failure

  Citation: 528

  Authors: Peter J.

• Policy Success, Policy Failure and Grey Areas In-Between

  Citation: 366

  Authors: ALLAN

• Instruments of Government: Perceptions and Contexts

  Citation: 332

  Authors: Stephen H., B. Guy

• Is It Time to Disinvest in Social Capital?

  Citation: 330

  Authors: Michael W., Bob

• The Shadow of Hierarchy and New Modes of Governance

  Citation: 297

  Authors: ADRIENNE, DIRK

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