If a doctor plans to develop in the scientific field, they must engage not only in clinical practice but also in systematic research activity, an integral part of which is publishing. The stage of selecting the quartile of a journal in which to publish an article often causes considerable difficulty for medical professionals. Is it necessary to aim exclusively for first-quartile journals, or should other options also be considered? Today, we will discuss this in more detail and determine the value of publications in Q2 and Q3 journals for doctors.
Why are publications in international journals critically important for medical professionals?
Before discussing the choice of quartile, it is worth outlining why a medical professional needs publications in journals indexed in international databases such as Scopus or Web of Science. The relevance of publishing directly depends on the goals set by the specialist, in particular:
- defending a dissertation and obtaining a scientific degree
- obtaining an academic title
- participation in grant competitions and obtaining research funding
- maintaining the publication statistics of a scientific institution
- increasing the h-index and overall citation rate
- international recognition of research results
How are journal quartiles distributed?
A journal’s belonging to a specific quartile reflects its position in the ranking among all publications within a particular scientific field. They are divided into four groups according to citation metrics (CiteScore Percentile in Scopus or Impact Factor in Web of Science):
- Q1 – the top 25% of journals in the field with the greatest impact in their category
- Q2 – the next 25%, journals with a high international reputation
- Q3 – the third quarter of the ranking, which includes well-known and professional journals with a moderate impact
- Q4 – the bottom 25%, which usually includes new or highly specialised journals that are actively developing
It is also important to understand that journals of all quartiles (Q1–Q4) are peer-reviewed and indexed in Scopus or Web of Science. The difference between them lies not in the quality of peer review as such, but in the level of citation, competitiveness, and influence within the academic environment.
How does the quartile affect points in academic assessment?
This issue is particularly relevant for medical professionals undergoing the process of obtaining a scientific degree or an academic title. In academic assessment systems aligned with international standards, the quartile of a journal directly determines the number of points an author receives for a publication.
| Quartile | Points per publication |
|---|---|
| Q1 | 25 |
| Q2 | 20 |
| Q3 | 15 |
| Q4 | 12 |
As can be seen, the difference between Q2 and Q4 amounts to 8 points per article. This difference is significant when accumulating the minimum threshold required to obtain an academic title or a scientific degree.
For example, the minimum total number of points required to obtain a Doctor of Sciences degree consists of several components, including dissertation defence, academic outputs (publications in Scopus/WoS, monographs), as well as citations in indexed journals. For the positions of Associate Professor or Professor, the requirements are even higher, and it is precisely here that consistent publication activity becomes a decisive factor. For more details on the requirements for obtaining a scientific degree or an academic title in the field of health and sports sciences, refer to our article on this topic.
Advantages of publishing in Q2 and Q3 journals for medical professionals
For a doctor who combines clinical practice with scientific activity, it is particularly important to plan a publication strategy properly. In this case, Q2 and Q3 journals often become the optimal and realistic choice. Why is this so? Let us consider this in more detail below.
Higher citation rates compared to Q4
Q2–Q3 journals are actively read and cited by researchers worldwide. For this reason, they demonstrate a significantly higher level of citation of publications.
Compared to Q4 journals, the difference in citation intensity is often substantial. This is reflected in key scientometric indicators such as Scopus (CiteScore, SJR, SNIP) and Web of Science (Impact Factor). As a result, publications in Q2–Q3 journals contribute much more effectively to increasing an author’s h-index, which is of great importance in competitive selections, academic assessments, and the awarding of research grants.
Realistic peer-review timelines
Many authors strive to publish their articles in Q1 journals, as they are considered the most prestigious in medicine and include the most highly cited publications. However, this advantage has a downside – extremely high competition and a complex multi-stage selection process.
As a result, the full publication cycle (from manuscript submission to article publication) in Q1 journals often takes from 8 months to a year or even longer. This is due to lengthy peer review, multiple rounds of revision, a high rejection rate, and publication backlogs.
In contrast, Q2–Q3 journals offer more balanced conditions. The full publication cycle in these journals usually ranges from 4 to 7 months. This allows authors to maintain consistent publication activity without long interruptions.
For a doctor whose schedule is densely filled with clinical practice, such a difference in timelines is of fundamental importance, as it enables faster integration of research results into the scientific community.
Open access and a broader audience
A significant proportion of Q3 journals operate under an open access model, which substantially increases the visibility of scientific publications. Unlike journals with a traditional access model, such articles do not require a subscription or payment to be viewed and are therefore accessible to a much wider audience of readers.
This openness directly affects citation levels, as open access publications are generally cited more frequently than similar works in traditional journals. This is because research results are disseminated more quickly and are easier to find for both researchers and practising professionals.
For medical science, this is particularly important, as doctors worldwide constantly seek up-to-date clinical data to inform their practice. Free access to such materials enables faster implementation of new knowledge and increases the real impact of scientific publications on medical practice.
Publications in Q2 and Q3 journals form the foundation of a publication portfolio, accumulate citations, and help to obtain points required for academic degrees and titles. They represent an ideal balance between Q1 journals, where competition among authors is extremely high, and Q4 journals, where lower citation rates and impact often reduce the scientific value of the work. That is why, for most doctors combining clinical practice with research, a strategy of regular publications in Q2–Q3 journals is the most rational and effective.
If you need assistance with publishing in Q2–Q3 journals, contact the company Scientific Publications. Our specialists have extensive experience working with academic journals, which enables them to help you choose a reliable journal, prepare your manuscript in accordance with its requirements, and support you at all stages of the publication process. Would you like to receive a free consultation? Then fill out the form below, and our manager will contact you shortly. Together towards new scientific achievements!
