Easy Way to Identify Journal Quartile (Q1, Q2, Q3, Q4) - PART ONE

Radzuwan Ab Rashid
27 Jun 202008:38
EducationalLearning
32 Likes 10 Comments

TLDRThis video tutorial guides students and researchers on how to determine the quartile ranking of a journal without access to the Journal Citation Reports (JCR) in Web of Science. It clarifies that quartile rankings on Scopus are not used for university or ministry research assessments, which rely on JCR rankings instead. The presenter demonstrates how to use journal websites, particularly those of reputable publishers like Sage and Routledge, to find information on a journal's quartile ranking in Web of Science, even without a direct JCR account. The video also explains the difference between journals indexed in Web of Science's Core Collection and those in the Emerging Sources Citation Index, noting that the latter may not yet have a quartile ranking.

Takeaways
  • 📚 Access to Web of Science is crucial for identifying a journal's quartile ranking, which is important for research assessment and ranking purposes.
  • 🎓 Students and researchers without access to Web of Science can still determine a journal's quartile by using alternative methods, such as checking the journal's website.
  • 🔍 The quartile ranking on Scopus is not the same as the one used by universities and ministries for research assessment; it's the Web of Science's Journal Citation Reports (JCR) that matter.
  • 🤔 Confusion often arises when people refer to Q1, Q2, Q3, and Q4 rankings, which are quartiles from the JCR, not from Scopus.
  • 🌐 Many researchers start with Scopus as it's more accessible, but it's important to verify the quartile ranking on the Web of Science if required by their institution.
  • 📈 Journals listed as Q1 in Scopus might not yet have a quartile ranking in Web of Science, especially if they are new or part of the Emerging Sources Citation Index.
  • 💡 Publishers like Sage and Routledge often provide information on a journal's quartile ranking on their webpage, which can be helpful for those without Web of Science access.
  • 📝 For journals indexed in Web of Science but not yet assigned a quartile, it may take years for them to move into a quartile category after their impact factor is established.
  • 📘 Emerging Sources Citation Index journals are indexed in Web of Science but do not yet have an impact factor, and thus, are not yet ranked in a quartile.
  • 🔗 Checking a journal's profile page on Web of Science can provide detailed information about its quartile ranking, but this requires access to the database.
  • 🚀 For those without access to Web of Science, looking at the publisher's webpage and understanding the indexing categories can offer clues about a journal's quartile ranking.
Q & A

  • What is the main topic of the video?

    -The video discusses how to determine the quartile ranking of academic journals, particularly for those who do not have access to the Web of Science database.

  • Why might some students and lecturers have difficulty accessing the quartile ranking of journals?

    -Some students and lecturers may not have access to the Web of Science, which is a key resource for finding the quartile ranking of journals.

  • What is the difference between quartiles on Scopus and Web of Science?

    -The quartiles on Scopus are not considered by universities or ministries for research assessment ranking. It is the quartile in Web of Science that is important for such purposes.

  • What is JCR in the context of Web of Science?

    -JCR stands for Journal Citation Reports, which is a part of the Web of Science database used to identify the quartile ranking of journals.

  • Why do some journals have a quartile ranking on Scopus but not on Web of Science?

    -Some journals may be new or indexed under the Emerging Sources Citation Index in Web of Science, which means they have not yet been assigned a quartile ranking.

  • What is the Emerging Sources Citation Index and how does it relate to quartile ranking?

    -The Emerging Sources Citation Index is a part of Web of Science that indexes journals but does not yet assign them an impact factor or quartile ranking. It can take years for a journal to move from this category to a quartile ranking.

  • How can one determine the quartile ranking of a journal without access to Web of Science?

    -One can check the journal's website or publisher's information, as reputable publishers like Sage and Routledge often provide details about a journal's quartile ranking.

  • What does the color green signify in the video when discussing journals?

    -In the context of the video, the color green signifies that a journal is listed as Tier 1, which is not the same as being in Q1 in Web of Science.

  • Why might a journal listed as Q1 in Scopus not be listed in any quartile in Web of Science?

    -A journal might be listed as Q1 in Scopus but not in Web of Science if it is new or indexed under the Emerging Sources Citation Index, which does not assign quartile rankings until the journal has an impact factor.

  • What are some examples of publishers that provide information about a journal's quartile ranking on their website?

    -Publishers like Sage and Routledge are mentioned in the video as examples of those that provide information about a journal's quartile ranking on their website.

  • How does the video suggest finding the quartile ranking of a journal without a Web of Science account?

    -The video suggests using the journal's or publisher's website to find information about the quartile ranking, particularly for reputable publishers.

Outlines
00:00
🔍 Identifying Journal Quartiles Without Web of Science Access

This paragraph discusses the challenges faced by students and researchers who lack access to the Web of Science database, which is commonly used to determine the quartile ranking of journals. The speaker introduces a method to identify a journal's quartile by examining its website instead of relying on the JCR part of Web of Science. The paragraph clarifies that quartiles on Scopus are not considered by universities and ministries for research assessment, and that the quartile in Web of Science is what matters. It also highlights the confusion caused by journals listed as Q1 in Scopus but not yet ranked in Web of Science, due to being part of the Emerging Sources Citation Index.

05:01
📚 Understanding the Emerging Sources Citation Index and Quartile Rankings

The second paragraph delves into the specifics of the Emerging Sources Citation Index within Web of Science. It explains that while journals in this index are indexed in Web of Science, they have not yet been assigned an impact factor and thus are not placed in any quartile. The speaker emphasizes that it may take years for a journal to move from the Emerging Sources Citation Index to a quartile ranking once it receives an impact factor. The paragraph also contrasts journals indexed in the Social Sciences Citation Index (SSCI), which are assured to be in a quartile, with those in the Emerging Sources Citation Index, which are not yet ranked. The speaker provides examples of how to find a journal's quartile information on publisher websites like Sage, without needing access to Web of Science.

Mindmap
Keywords
💡Web of Science
Web of Science is a research database that indexes thousands of academic journals across various disciplines. It is a key resource for researchers to find and verify the impact and ranking of journals. In the context of the video, Web of Science is used to determine the quartile ranking of a journal, which is essential for researchers aiming to publish in high-impact journals. The script mentions that some students and researchers may not have access to this database, which is a barrier the video aims to address.
💡Quartile
In academic publishing, quartiles refer to the categorization of journals based on their impact factor within their field. A quartile ranking indicates the relative standing of a journal compared to others in the same category. The video emphasizes the importance of understanding quartiles, particularly the difference between quartiles assigned by Scopus and those by Web of Science, as they are used by universities and ministries for research assessment.
💡Scopus
Scopus is another large database of abstracts and citations of research literature, similar to Web of Science. It is used to track citations and measure the impact of research. The script points out that quartiles assigned by Scopus are not the same as those used by universities and ministries for research assessment, which are based on Web of Science's Journal Citation Reports (JCR).
💡Journal Citation Reports (JCR)
JCR is a part of the Web of Science database that provides journal rankings and impact factors. It is used to categorize journals into quartiles based on their impact within their field. The video script explains that access to JCR is necessary to identify the quartile of a journal, which is crucial for researchers who need to meet specific publication standards.
💡Emerging Sources Citation Index
The Emerging Sources Citation Index is a part of the Web of Science that indexes newer or smaller journals that are not yet assigned an impact factor. The video uses this term to illustrate that a journal may be indexed in Web of Science but not yet ranked in any quartile because it is still under evaluation for its impact factor. This is an important distinction for researchers who need to publish in journals with a certain quartile ranking.
💡Impact Factor
The impact factor is a measure of the frequency with which the average article in a journal has been cited in a particular year. It is used to reflect the relative importance or standing of a journal within its field. The script explains that journals in the Emerging Sources Citation Index have not yet been assigned an impact factor, which is a prerequisite for being ranked in a quartile.
💡SSCI (Social Sciences Citation Index)
SSCI is a part of the Web of Science that indexes journals in the social sciences. It is used to rank journals within this discipline. The video script mentions SSCI as an example of a category within Web of Science where a journal must be ranked in a quartile, indicating its standing within the social sciences field.
💡Publishing Standards
Publishing standards refer to the criteria or requirements that must be met for a piece of research to be accepted for publication in a journal. The video discusses how researchers need to understand and meet these standards, particularly in terms of quartile rankings, to successfully publish their work in reputable journals.
💡Research Assessment
Research assessment is the process by which the quality and impact of research output are evaluated, often by universities or funding bodies. The video script highlights the importance of publishing in journals with specific quartile rankings as part of these assessments, which can affect a researcher's career and funding opportunities.
💡Tier Ranking
Tier ranking is a system used to categorize journals based on their perceived quality and impact within a field. The script uses the term 'Tier one' to refer to the highest ranking journals, which are often the target for researchers aiming to publish in the most prestigious outlets. Understanding tier rankings is crucial for researchers to meet the publication requirements set by their institutions.
💡Journal Websites
The video suggests that journal websites can be a valuable resource for researchers to find information about a journal's ranking and impact factor, even without access to databases like Web of Science. The script provides an example of how to use a journal's website to determine its quartile ranking, which is a practical tip for researchers who may not have access to subscription-based databases.
Highlights

The video demonstrates an easy method to determine the quartile of a journal without access to specific databases.

Some students and lecturers have access to Web of Science, which simplifies finding a journal's quartile.

For those without access, the video provides an alternative method to determine a journal's quartile.

Confusion arises when journals are categorized as Q1, Q2, Q3, Q4, which refer to quartiles on the Scimago website.

The quartile in Scopus is not considered by universities or ministries for research assessment ranking.

The quartile that matters for research assessment is from Web of Science's Journal Citation Reports (JCR).

Access to JCR in Web of Science is sometimes not available, prompting the need for alternative methods.

The video suggests checking a journal's website for information on its quartile ranking.

Many students and novice researchers use Scopus, which may not accurately reflect a journal's quartile in Web of Science.

Some journals listed as Q1 in Scopus may not be listed in any quartile in Web of Science.

Journals indexed in Web of Science's Emerging Sources Citation Index are not yet ranked in quartiles.

It can take years for a journal to move from the Emerging Sources Citation Index to a quartile ranking.

The video provides an example of a Q1 journal in Scopus that is not yet ranked in any quartile in Web of Science.

The video emphasizes that the quartile referred to by universities is from Web of Science, not Scopus.

The video shows how to find a journal's quartile by checking its indexing in Social Sciences Citation Index (SSCI).

Publishers like Sage and Routledge provide information on their journal's quartile ranking on their webpages.

The video demonstrates how to find a journal's quartile without a Web of Science account using Sage's Language Teaching Research as an example.

Transcripts

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Journal QuartileResearch AssessmentWeb of ScienceScopus IndexPublishing TipsAcademic RankingJournal SelectionResearch GuidanceQuartile IdentificationAccess SolutionsPublishing Standards