Evan Bieske School of Chemistry

University of Melbourne

Assessing journals for inclusion into Scopus

Suggesting a journal for inclusion in Scopus

Suggesting a journal for inclusion in Scopus

Technical RequirementsEnglish language abstractsPeer reviewRegular publication scheduleRegistered ISSNReferences in Roman script

Criteria

•Journal policy•Subject area, Regional Focus

•Quality of content (sample articles)•Academic content, Production quality, Language & Grammar

•Citedness •journal, editors

•Regularity

•Online availability•Homepage

Journal Goal

What is the Journal trying to achieve?

• Present new and important research

• Address a neglected research area

• Publish papers that may not be accepted into existing journals

• Serve as a vehicle for institutional, national or personal pride

• Make money

Reviewing Journals for Scopus

Journal Policy

Scoring

Journal Policy

Journal Policy

Content quality

Citedness

Regularity

Online availability and quality

Case Study 1 Small journal from Asia

International subject (technology)

Fair homepage

Good production values

Regular publication

Few articles each year (~10/yr)

Small publisher

Only published for 2 years

Fair academic quality

Most articles are authored by the editors

Case Study 1 Small journal from Asia

• Feedback – Why was the journal rejected

• Can reapply after 1, 2, 3 years

Case Study 2Philippine Journal of Science

Philippine Journal of Science

International subject (science & technology)

Long History (since 1906)

Very good homepage

Good production values

Regular publication

articles each year (~10/yr)

Good academic quality

Editorial and author diversity

SummaryThere are no hard rules for deciding whether a

journal should be included.

Important indicators are:

• achieves primary goal of presenting high quality research

• satisfies technical aspects (english abstract, Roman refs. etc.)

• journal policy (editorial board, peer review etc.)

• citedness

• Regularity

• online availability

• longevity