A number of journal classification systems have been developed in
bibliometrics since the launch of the Citation Indices by the Institute of
Scientific Information (ISI) in the 1960s. These systems are used to normalize
citation counts with respect to field-specific citation patterns. The best
known system is the so-called "Web-of-Science Subject Categories" (WCs). In
other systems papers are classified by algorithmic solutions. Using the Journal
Citation Reports 2014 of the Science Citation Index and the Social Science
Citation Index (n of journals = 11,149), we examine options for developing a
new system based on journal classifications into subject categories using
aggregated journal-journal citation data. Combining routines in VOSviewer and
Pajek, a tree-like classification is developed. At each level one can generate
a map of science for all the journals subsumed under a category. Nine major
fields are distinguished at the top level. Further decomposition of the social
sciences is pursued for the sake of example with a focus on journals in
information science (LIS) and science studies (STS). The new classification
system improves on alternative options by avoiding the problem of randomness in
each run that has made algorithmic solutions hitherto irreproducible.
Limitations of the new system are discussed (e.g. the classification of
multi-disciplinary journals). The system's usefulness for field-normalization
in bibliometrics should be explored in future studies.Comment: accepted for publication in the Journal of Informetrics, 20 July 201