Among researchers, particularly those who are only beginning their path in scholarly publication activity, there is a widespread belief that if a journal is included in the Scopus database, it is one hundred per cent high-quality and authoritative. In reality, however, indexation is not always a guarantee of a publication's reliability. Why does this happen? Why is it important to carefully analyse journals before submitting an article? How can risks be minimised when publishing in Scopus?
Does inclusion in Scopus not guarantee a journal’s quality?
Scopus is one of the largest aggregators of scientific literature. Practically every researcher aspires to publish an article in a journal indexed in this database. This platform is known for its broad coverage of academic publications across various disciplines, as well as for their quality. Indeed, in order for a journal to receive indexation, it must undergo a serious assessment for compliance with established criteria.
| Category | Journal Evaluation Criteria |
|---|---|
| Editorial policy |
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| Content |
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| Scientific authority of the journal |
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| Regularity of publication |
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| Online accessibility |
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As can be seen, not every journal will be able to pass expert assessment for compliance with these requirements. This is precisely why only the best publications make it into Scopus. So why is indexation in this database not a guarantee of quality?
The point is that the criteria listed above determine a journal's eligibility for inclusion in the database, but they do not make all indexed publications equal to one another. Once indexed in Scopus, thousands of journals coexist, and these may differ substantially in terms of citation rate, reputation, editorial policies, international influence, and the quality of published research. Over time, they may deviate considerably from their initial indicators.
In other words, indexation in Scopus is best regarded not as a guarantee of quality, but as confirmation that the journal met the established requirements at the time of assessment. Thereafter, its level may differ significantly from other publications, and the journal itself must continuously maintain compliance with the database's standards.
Why do regular exclusions from Scopus occur?
It should be noted that a certain proportion of journals included in Scopus employ practices that border on dishonest. Their aim is to artificially increase the number of citations in order to boost scientometric indicators.
For a certain period, violations by such journals may go unnoticed. However, in order to maintain a high standard of publications, Scopus systematically monitors and analyses the work of journals. If the database identifies offenders, it adds them to the list for exclusion and discontinues their indexation. These lists are published periodically (almost monthly) on the platform's official website, and every researcher has the opportunity to consult them.
To receive prompt information about new exclusions from Scopus, follow the blog of the Scientific Publications company.
Grounds for a journal's exclusion from Scopus may include:
- Violation of publication ethics (plagiarism that is not systematically detected by the editorial board, falsification of peer review, sale of authorship, and so forth).
- Artificial manipulation of citation indicators (self-citation, arrangements with other journals for mutual citation).
- A sharp and unjustified increase in the number of publications, which casts doubt on the quality of peer review.
- Failure to comply with publishing standards (irregularity in the release of issues, lack of proper information on the website, archiving problems).
- Identification of signs of "predatory" activity. To learn more about the types of predatory journals and their characteristics, read our article on this topic.
The consequences of a journal's exclusion from Scopus are extremely significant for authors who have already published, or are in the process of publishing, in such a journal. Firstly, an article placed before the loss of indexation mostly remains in the database. Despite this, the fact of the journal's exclusion from Scopus may complicate the recognition of the publication by attestation commissions in the future. Secondly, if the exclusion occurs already during peer review or after the article's submission, the researcher risks losing the time, funds, and reputational benefits they had counted on.
How to minimise risks when choosing a journal?
Given all of the above, the choice of a journal for publication should be the result of a thorough and multi-stage analysis, even where indexation in Scopus is present. Researchers should:
- Check the journal's current status directly on the official Scopus website before submitting an article.
- Cross-check the journal against the Scopus Discontinued Sources List, to ensure that the publication is not in the process of exclusion or has not already been excluded.
- Analyse the quartile and the dynamics of the CiteScore indicator over the past several years.
- Pay attention to the publisher's reputation, the transparency of editorial policy, and the composition of the editorial board.
- Take a critical approach towards anomalously fast peer-review and publication timelines.
Indexation in Scopus is an important, but not the only, criterion for evaluating a journal. The reliability and quality of a publication are determined by a combination of factors, including: the stability of scientometric indicators, the publisher's reputation, transparency of peer review, and adherence to research ethics.
If you wish to avoid the risks associated with choosing a journal, and would like to receive professional support at every stage, contact theScientific Publications company. Our specialists will conduct a comprehensive check of the journal's current status in Scopus, help assess the risks, and select a publication that truly meets your goals. Fill in the form below, and our manager will provide you with a free consultation. Together towards new scientific achievements!
