Reinforcing Prestige: Journal Citation Biases in Astronomy

Abstract Scientific citations are widely used to assess impact, yet they often reflect more than just quality or relevance. In astronomy, we analyzed 255,000 peer-reviewed articles published between 2000 and 2025 to examine how journals are cited in relation to their output and authorship patterns. We found that multidisciplinary journals attract far more citations—up to nine times their share of publications—while specialized journals receive fewer. Additionally, authors are more likely to cite articles within the journal in which they publish. These trends have weakened but persist, influenced by topical focus, author habits, and strategic referencing. Our findings reveal structural biases in how visibility is conferred through citations. Recognizing these patterns is essential for interpreting metrics fairly and fostering more equitable referencing practices across the scientific publishing landscape.