Most authors are in a hurry!! If you are then it's for you.
Many times Journal websites are not updating time-to-time.
It may happen that last year any journal is Scopus/SCI/SCIE indexed but currently it is not in SCOPUS/SCI/SCIE indexed.
It may also happen that last year any journal is in the UGC-CARE list but currently it is not in the UGC-CARE list.
It may because the websites of Journals are not updated regularly.
To avoid such fake information, you have to verify from the Source to get the correct and updated information. You have to check:
Whether the journal is registered or Not?
Whether the journal is in the UGC-CARE list or not?
Whether the journal is SCI/SCIE/ESCI or not?
Whether the journal is SCOPUS indexed or not?
If you have doubts or not sure about the Journal authenticity then before manuscript submission, you must analyze the journal. Below are some suggestions:
How to check the Journal is registered or Not?
Go to the website and find the ISSN number.
If ISSN number. is not available, then you can contact to editor(s) of the Journal and ask the ISSN number. After getting the ISSN number, you can check the authenticity of the Journal.
If ISSN number. is available, then check whether this ISSN number is registered with the Journal name or not?
Each Journal has a unique ISSN number. Check ISSN No. of the Journal by using the portal of ISSN https://portal.issn.org/
If ISSN number is matched with the Journal name, it means it is a registered Journal.
If ISSN number is not matched with the Journal name, it means it creates doubts.
In the case of Doubts, You can discuss with the Editor of the Journal. My personal suggestion that avoids such types of Journals.
How to check the Journal is really in the UGC-CARElist or Not?
Firstly understand that UGC -CARElist is only applicable where UGC norms are followed.
Secondly, the UGC-CARE list is updated from time to time. So any list is not fixed. You have to check and aware that your Journal is lie in the UGC CARE list or not?
Currently, UGC-CARE (2020) list is divided into two groups.
Group 1: Only those Journals which follow the UGC CARE protocols, comes under this list. You can check that your journal lies in UGC-CARE or not. To check, you can use this link https://ugccare.unipune.ac.in/apps1/home/index
Group 2: The Journals which are globally recognized are in this list. Globally recognized means which have good indexing Journals. Some of the major indexing which is followed by Group 2 UGC-CARE lists are:
SCI/SCIE
ESCI
Web of Science
Scopus
Art & humanities indexed
How to check the Journal is really SCI/SCIE/Web of Science/ESCI indexed or Not?
There is a search box, you can search the journal indexing by Journal name or ISSN no. However, I suggest that you go with ISSN no.
You can get more than one output. Here you have to identify your journal. If it is available then it is in the web of science and major indexings are also mentioned such as SCI, ESCI, SCIE, and so on.
If your journal is not available, it means it is not indexed in SCI/SCIE/Web of Science/ESCI indexed.
If website information regarding indexing is not matched, I suggest always follow the source.
If the source says the Journal is SCI then surely it is SCI. whether it is updated or not on the website. But in reverse, if the journal website says SCI-indexed but the source says it is not SCI. then it is always a doubtful case.
In the case of Doubts, You can discuss with the Editor of the Journal. My personal suggestion that avoids such types of Journals.
How to check the Journal is really SCOPUS indexed or Not?
Go to https://www.scopus.com/sources?zone=TopNavBar&origin=AuthorProfile
There is a search box, you can search the journal indexing by Journal name or ISSN no. However, I suggest that you go with ISSN no.
You can get more than one output. Here you have to identify your journal. If it is available then it is in the SCOPUS indexing.
if your journal is not available, it means it is not indexed in SCOPUS indexed.
If website information regarding indexing is not matched, I suggest always follow the source.
If the source says the Journal is SCOPUS for current then surely it is SCOPUS. whether it is updated or not on the website. But in reverse, if the journal website says SCOPUS indexed but the source says it is not SCOPUS. then it is always a doubtful case.
In the case of Doubts, You can discuss with the Editor of the Journal. My personal suggestion that avoids such types of Journals.