For a detailed guide on how to meet these criteria and improve your chances of indexing, check out our comprehensive article on common mistakes to avoid when applying for Scopus and Web of Science indexing.

Use this comprehensive checklist to ensure your academic journal meets the criteria for indexing in prestigious databases like Scopus, Web of Science, and PubMed. This list covers essential aspects of website functionality, ethical guidelines, editorial transparency, and publication practices.

1. Journal Title and Branding Consistency

• Ensure the journal title is consistent across the website, ISSN portal, metadata, and PDF articles.
• Verify that the correct title is used when submitting metadata to indexing databases.

2. Website Functionality and User Experience

• Conduct a website audit to fix broken links and ensure all documents are accessible.
• Ensure multilingual content is consistent across all language versions (e.g., English, Turkish).
• Provide clear navigation for accessing current issues, archives, submission guidelines, and author resources.

3. Ethical Guidelines and Transparency

• Publish comprehensive ethical guidelines covering conflicts of interest, authorship, retractions, and corrections.
• Include research ethics policies for studies involving human or animal subjects (e.g., informed consent, ethical approval).
• Ensure the journal’s ethical guidelines are unique and not copied from other publishers.

4. Detailed Peer Review Process

• Clearly outline the peer review process (e.g., single-blind, double-blind, open review).
• Specify who makes the final decision on manuscript acceptance (e.g., Editor-in-Chief, Associate Editors).
• Provide information on the criteria for manuscript acceptance and the appeal process for rejected submissions.

5. Editorial Board and Author Affiliation Details

• Include full names, institutional affiliations, and countries for all members of the editorial board.
• Make sure all published articles include complete author affiliation details (name, institution, country).
• Update editorial board information regularly and ensure members are easily contactable.

6. Consistent Publication Schedule

• Adhere to the stated publication frequency (e.g., quarterly, biannually).
• Avoid publishing issues ahead of schedule or delaying issues without clear communication to readers.
• Clearly display the current and upcoming publication schedule on the journal’s website.

7. Archiving and Indexing Policies

• Implement robust archiving systems (e.g., OAI-PMH, LOCKSS, CLOCKSS).
• Provide a clear archiving policy on the website, explaining how content is preserved and made accessible.
• Ensure compliance with Open Access standards if applicable, and provide details about Creative Commons licenses.

8. Detailed Aims, Scope, and Target Audience

• Clearly define the aims, scope, and focus of the journal.
• Provide a comprehensive description of the target audience (e.g., researchers, practitioners, policymakers).
• Regularly update the aims and scope section to reflect the evolving focus of the journal.

9. Publisher Transparency and Contact Information

• Provide the full physical address of the publisher (avoid using only a P.O. Box).
• Include detailed contact information for the publisher and the journal’s support team.
• Ensure bi-directional links between the journal website and the publisher’s website.

10. Strategies to Improve Citation Rates and Impact Factor

• Encourage high-quality, impactful research submissions relevant to the journal’s focus.
• Promote published articles through social media, academic networks, and mailing lists to increase visibility.
• Consider publishing review articles and special issues on trending topics to boost citations.

11. Accurate and Transparent Metadata Submission

• Verify that all metadata submissions (e.g., to Crossref, ISSN Portal) are accurate and up-to-date.
• Include DOIs, ORCID IDs, and complete author information for all articles.
• Regularly check for inconsistencies in metadata submissions and correct them promptly.

Final Steps Before Submission:

• Review the editorial selection process of the target index (e.g., Scopus, WoS) to understand specific requirements.
• Conduct a final website audit to ensure all sections meet the standards of top indexing databases.
• Prepare a cover letter highlighting the journal’s strengths, adherence to ethical guidelines, and impact on the field.

By following this checklist, you can improve your journal’s chances of being accepted by prestigious indexes, increasing its visibility, credibility, and overall impact in the academic community.

If you are looking to establish a peer-reviewed academic journal or wish to migrate your existing journal to an advanced article submission and management system, we are here to help. Contact us for OJS installation that meets international standards, migration of your journal to OJS, or updates and technical support for your current OJS site. Reach out to us at https://ojs-services.com/contact/ for more information.

Updated: 17.11.2024