In order to achieve the main scientific goals of a scientist, for example, to assign academic titles, award scientific degrees, obtain funding and grants, it is required to meet the regulatory requirements for the number of scientific articles. But how to choose a journal for publication and which editions are better to focus on: Scopus, Web of Science or CCES? Let's consider this issue more specifically in the new blog of the Scientific Publications company.
In order to determine, in which journals it is better to publish works, it is required to determine the peculiarities of the regulatory requirements and various databases.
Scopus: the database of international importance
Scopus is a very authoritative database, the influence of which is recognized all over the world. It indexes thousands of scientific publications, each of which goes through a rigorous selection process, as well as is being checked for the quality of reviewed material on a monthly basis.
To implement such scientific goals as assigning academic titles, awarding scientific degrees, the requirements for the number of Scopus publications are prescribed at the legislative level. Articles, that are published in journals of such a high level indicate the influence of the scientist and his work among the international community.
Scientists of the Republic of Kazakhstan focus on the CiteScore percentile in Scopus in their professional activities, when choosing a publication, the journal must correspond to the indicator 35+ (in many cases). Precisely this option that is considered “traditional” for the implementation of the key scientific goals:
- Assignment of scientific titles and awarding of scientific degrees.
- Membership in dissertation and scientific councils.
- Obtaining funding and grants (for example, to comply with the conditions of the Competition for the grant funding of the Ministry of Education and Science of the Republic of Kazakhstan, etc.).
Furthermore, there can be 25+ and 50+ percentile (most often in the context of academic titles and degrees) in addition to the 35+ percentile at the legislative level. Other options of regulatory requirements for Percentile CiteScore in Scopus are not so common, for the implementation of specific scientific purposes.
Scientometric database Web of Science as a global aggregator of research literature
Web of Science is a large source of scientific literature, based on collections and citation indexes. The core of the platform is the Web of Science Core Collection. Publication in journals from the main collection counts towards the achievement of the scientific goals of scientists from Kazakhstan.
When publishing scientific articles, researchers are guided by the quartile of the journal Web of Science. It is worth considering that the legislative norms of Kazakhstan in the context of the implementation of the main scientific goals of the researcher, equate the publications of Scopus and WoS. At the same time, Web of Science journals should be characterized by a normative quartile indicator (from Q4 to Q1, depending on the specific case).
The quartile should vary at the level Q1-Q3 for most scientific purposes, but in some cases, publication in the journal Web of Science, the quartile of which is Q4, is also acceptable (especially in the context of awarding academic degrees).
CCES: scientific journals of Kazakhstan
CCES is a list of scientific journals in Kazakhstan, that are recommended by the Ministry of Education and Science. Such editions have some authority in the research world, but they are less influential, than those, indexed in Scopus and Web of Science (but it is worth taking into consideration, that some journals are indexed both in CCES and international databases).
The minimum number of required publications in CCES editions is indicated for the implementation of most scientific goals. At the same time, one Scopus /Web of Science publication is equated to several CCES in some cases. Taking it into consideration, let's address a few examples:
- To award scientific degrees the required number of articles is:
- 3 publications from the list, recommended by the Ministry of Education and Science of the Republic of Kazakhstan + 1 in journals of international databases (Scopus percentile 25+ or Web of Science quartile - Q1-Q3).
- 2 publications in journals of international databases: the first with 25+ percentile or Q1-Q4 quartile, the second with 50+ or Q1-Q2.
- To be assigned the title of professor:
- At least 28 publications are required: not less, than 20 publications in editions of the “ministerial” list of the Ministry of Education and Science of the Republic of Kazakhstan, 3 in journals of international databases with 50+ percentile or Q1-Q2 quartile.
- If the number of publications in journals of international databases exceeds 3, then 1 Scopus / Web of Science publication = 2 CCES.
As it can be seen, publications in the editions of the CCES list are optional in the first case, their minimum number is determined at the regulatory level in the other case. To achieve less global scientific goals, publications in Scopus / Web of Science journals are sometimes not required. But, in order to assign titles, award degrees, obtain funding and grants, join scientific and dissertation councils, one cannot do without publications in international databases.
Therefore, publications from the list, recommended by CCES, indicate the regional influence of the scientist and his contribution to the development of scientific research, and Scopus / Web of Science articles indicate the international significance of the author. If the publication of scientific articles for the realization of any scientific goals is needed, do not hesitate to contact the specialists of the Scientific Publications company. We have extensive experience in the implementation of scientific projects and provide comprehensive research support: from audit to indexing. Just leave a request on the site, and we will contact you today!
Let us remind you that the material "Why is it important for every scientist to improve their citation rate and the H-index?" has been released recently.