Indexing

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How to Check for Indexing

Journal indexing refers to the process of including a journal in a specific database or index that tracks and organizes scholarly publications. Indexing services like Web of Science (WoS), Scopus, ERA (Excellence in Research for Australia), and MyCite play a crucial role in academic research. Journals are evaluated based on relevance, rigor of peer review, academic impact, and ethical standards before being included in these indices.

Web of Science

A multidisciplinary citation database providing access to scholarly literature and citation analysis.

Check for Web of Science

Scopus

An abstract and citation database offering comprehensive coverage of multidisciplinary literature. A product of Elsevier.

Check for Scopus

Excellence in Research for Australia (ERA)

A national initiative assessing the quality of Australian research outputs and institutions.

Check for ERA

MyCite - Malaysian Citation Index

National indexing system established by the Malaysian Ministry of Higher Education.

Check for Mycite

2025 Scholar Metrics Released

Google Scholar Metrics provide an easy way for authors to quickly gauge the visibility and influence of recent articles in scholarly publications. Scholar Metrics summarize recent citations to many publications, to help authors as they consider where to publish their new research.

To get started, you can browse the top 100 publications in several languages, ordered by their five-year h-index and h-median metrics. To see which articles in a publication were cited the most and who cited them, click on its h-index number to view the articles as well as the citations underlying the metrics.

You can also explore publications in research areas of your interest. To browse publications in a broad area of research, select one of the areas in the left column. For example: Engineering & Computer Science or Health & Medical Sciences.

To explore specific research areas, select one of the broad areas, click on the "Subcategories" link and then select one of the options. For example: Databases & Information Systems or Development Economics.

Browsing by research area is, as yet, available only for English publications. You can, of course, search for specific publications in all languages by words in their titles.

Scholar Metrics are currently based on our index as it was in July 2025.

For more details, see the Scholar Metrics help page.

How to Check for Predatory Journals

Researchers should not solely rely on journal indexing as the sole criterion for assessing the legitimacy of a journal. The fact that a journal is indexed in reputable databases like Web of Science or Scopus does not automatically guarantee that it is free from predatory practices. While inclusion in these indices often indicates a certain level of quality and adherence to standards, it does not necessarily rule out the possibility of predatory behavior.

Predatory journals are those that engage in unethical publishing practices, such as lack of rigorous peer review, unrealistically high acceptance rate, deceptive editorial practices, and the prioritization of financial gain over academic quality. Some predatory journals manage to get indexed in reputable databases, either by exploiting loopholes or by meeting minimal criteria for inclusion.

Checking for Predatory Journals

Blacklisted Journals by MOHE

Frequenly Asked questions regarding journal indexing

What is journal indexing?

Answer: Journal indexing is the process of including a journal in a specific database or index that tracks and organizes scholarly publications.

Why is journal indexing important?

Answer: Journal indexing enhances a journal's visibility, credibility, and impact. It allows researchers to track citations, assess quality, and aids in research evaluation.

why web of science, scopus, and era? why not other indexes?

Answer: Scopus, WoS, and ERA was included in the publication criteria assessed in MALAYSIA RESEARCH ASSESSMENT INSTRUMENT (MyRA). MyRA is a comprehensive system developed to evaluate the research capabilities and performance of an Institution of Higher Learning (IPT) in Malaysia. Other indexes carry lower weightage in the assessment.

What is the difference between WoS and Scopus indexing?

Answer: Both WoS and Scopus are multidisciplinary citation databases, but they may cover different journals and have distinct features. Researchers often use both for comprehensive literature searches.

Does being indexed in reputable databases guarantee a journal's quality?

Answer: Inclusion in reputable databases is a positive indicator, but it does not assure that a journal is entirely free from quality concerns. Researchers should also take into account additional factors such as peer review and editorial practices. Similarly, articles published in non-indexed journals or those with lower-tier indexing do not necessarily imply that the articles are of low quality.

Is open-access publishing synonymous with predatory publishing?

Answer: No, open-access publishing is a legitimate model. Predatory publishing involves deceptive practices. Researchers should assess journals individually for credibility. DOAJ is a great site for checking the quality of open-access journals.

Can a journal be indexed in multiple databases simultaneously?

Answer: Yes, many journals are indexed in multiple databases. Being indexed in more than one database can enhance a journal's visibility and accessibility.

Do all reputable journals get indexed in databases like Scopus or Web of Science?

Answer: Not necessarily. While many reputable journals are indexed, the inclusion process depends on the specific criteria of each database, and some high-quality journals may not be indexed.

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