A journal's quartile is one of the key scientometric indicators used when preparing for a dissertation defence and when applying for academic titles in Kazakhstan. The requirements for a doctoral candidate, an associate professor and a professor differ considerably, and what is sufficient at one stage may only be part of a more complex formula at another. Let us look at the place Q1 occupies in each of these cases.
What is a first-quartile journal?
A quartile reflects a journal's position in the ranking of publications within its subject category, based on the impact factor from the Journal Citation Reports (JCR) produced by Clarivate Analytics. All journals in a category are divided into four equal groups, and Q1 corresponds to the top 25% by this indicator. Scopus uses a similar approach through the CiteScore percentile, where a higher value corresponds to a stronger position within the field. It is worth keeping in mind that quartiles are revised every year alongside the updated JCR report, so a journal's position may change after an article has already been published.
A Q1 publication makes it easier for a doctoral candidate to defend a dissertation
Applicants for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) or Doctor of the Profile can meet the publication requirements through several routes. Under some of these, the journal must fall within the first three quartiles by JCR or reach a CiteScore percentile of at least 35, while the combined route specifically requires publication in Q1 or Q2 together with a conference paper. An article in a Q1 journal satisfies both conditions at once, giving the doctoral candidate a shorter route to defence – without having to prepare a second full article.
Among the practical advantages a doctoral candidate gains by choosing Q1 are the following:
- meeting the requirements of every route that allows a Q1-Q3 range
- satisfying the stricter Q1 or Q2 condition wherever it is set out separately
- a margin of safety in case the journal's quartile is revised in the next JCR report
- the option to choose the combined route with fewer required publications
How does a Q1 article bring an associate professor title closer?
To be awarded the title of associate professor (docent), a candidate needs at least 14 scientific articles in their specialism published after the dissertation defence, including 10 articles in publications recommended by the authorised body, as well as 2 articles in international peer-reviewed journals rated Q1-Q3 by JCR or with a CiteScore percentile of at least 35. A separate condition allows the monograph requirement to be waived – this calls for three additional articles specifically in Q1 or Q2 by JCR, or with a CiteScore percentile of at least 50. An article in Q1 counts towards both conditions at once, whereas a publication in Q3 only satisfies the basic requirement.
To make the most of a Q1 publication when preparing for the associate professor title, it helps to follow this order of actions:
- Confirm that continuous scientific or academic teaching experience after the dissertation defence is at least three years.
- Publish at least two articles in your specialism in Q1, Q2 or Q3 journals, or with a CiteScore percentile of at least 35.
- To be exempted from the monograph requirement, prepare three additional articles specifically in Q1 or Q2, or with a percentile of at least 50.
- Check that the journal appears on the current list recommended by the authorised body.
For the professor title, a Q1 publication becomes part of a mandatory condition
Candidates for the professor title need at least 28 scientific articles after receiving the associate professor title or a senior researcher position, including 20 articles in publications on the authorised body's list and 3 articles specifically in Q1–Q2 journals by JCR or with a CiteScore percentile of at least 50. Unlike the requirements for an associate professor, where the basic condition also allows Q3, the range narrows at this stage, and a lower quartile does not count towards these three articles. A further condition is continuous experience of at least 8 years after the dissertation defence, of which at least 2 years must be in a position no lower than associate professor.
Is it worth choosing Q1 if a lower quartile formally suffices?
At the stage of a dissertation defence or an associate professor title, a lower quartile may indeed meet the formal requirements. However, since a journal's quartile is revised every year, publishing close to the Q3 boundary does not remove the risk of falling outside the required range at the next review. Choosing Q1 removes this uncertainty and, at the same time, counts towards the stricter conditions if they are needed at a later career stage.
The role of Q1 changes depending on the stage of an academic career: for a doctoral candidate, it is a way to reduce the number of required publications; for an associate professor, it is a chance to satisfy two conditions with a single article; and for a professor, it is a direct requirement without which the title cannot be awarded. Planning publications with the quartile in mind from the outset helps avoid having to rethink the strategy at a later stage.
Planning to publish in a Q1 journal for a dissertation defence or an academic title in Kazakhstan? The specialists at Scientific Publications will help you choose a publication in the right quartile and prepare an article that meets the requirements of Scopus and Web of Science. To receive a free consultation, fill in the form below, and our manager will contact you shortly. Here's to new scientific achievements!
