A journal index, also called a ‘bibliographic index' or ‘bibliographic database', is a list of journals organized by discipline, subject, region or other factors.
Journal indexes can be used to search for studies and data on certain topics. Both scholars and the general public can search journal indexes.
Journals in indexes have been reviewed to ensure they meet certain criteria. These criteria may include:
A journal index, also called a ‘bibliographic index' or ‘bibliographic database', is a list of journals organized by discipline, subject, region or other factors.
Journal indexes can be used to search for studies and data on certain topics. Both scholars and the general public can search journal indexes.
Journals in indexes have been reviewed to ensure they meet certain criteria. These criteria may include:
Indexed journals are important, because they are often considered to be of higher scientific quality than non-indexed journals. You should aim for publication in an indexed journal for this reason. AJE's Journal Guide journal selection tool can help you find one.
Journal indexes are created by different organizations, such as:
Key types of journal indexes
You can choose from a range of journal indexes. Some are broad and are considered “general indexes”. Others are specific to certain fields and are considered “specialized indexes”.
For example:
Which index you choose will depend on your research subject area.
Some indexes, such as Web of Science, include journals from many countries. Others, such as the Chinese Academy of Science indexing system, are specific to certain countries or regions.
Choosing the type of index may depend on factors such as university or grant requirements.
Some indexes are open to the public, while others require a subscription. Many people searching for research papers will start with free search engines, such as Google Scholar, or free journal indexes, such as the Web of Science Master Journal List. Publishing in a journal in one or more free indexes increases the chance of your article being seen.
Journals in subscription-based indexes are generally considered high-quality journals. If the status of the journal is important, choose a journal in one or more subscription-based indexes.
Most journals belong to more than one index. To improve the visibility and impact of your article, choose a journal featured in multiple indexes.
All journals are checked for certain criteria before being added to an index. Each index has its own set of rules, but basic publishing standards include the following:
To be included in an index, a journal must submit an application and undergo an audit by the indexation board. Index board members (called auditors) will confirm certain information, such as the full listing of the editorial board on the website, the inclusion of ethics statements in published articles, established appeal and retraction processes, and more.
As an author, publishing your research in an indexed journal increases the credibility and visibility of your work. Indexed journals are generally considered to be of higher scientific quality than non-indexed journals.
With the growth of fully open access journals and online-only journals, recognizing “predatory” journals and their publishers has become difficult. Indexing a journal in one or more well-known databases is a good sign the journal is credible.
Moreover, more and more institutions are requiring publication in an indexed journal as a requirement for graduation, promotion, or grant funding.
As an author, it is important to ensure that your research is seen by as many eyes as possible. Index databases are often the first places scholars and the public will search for specific information. Publishing a paper in a non-indexed journal could be harmful in this context.
However, there are some exceptions, such as medical case reports.
Many journals don't accept medical case reports because they don't have high citation rates. However, several primary and secondary journals have been created specifically for case reports. Examples include the primary journal, BMC Medical Case Reports, and the secondary journal, European Heart Journal - Case Reports.
While many of these journals are indexed, they may not be indexed in the major indexes, though they are still highly acceptable journals.
With the recent increase in open access publishing, many journals have started offering an open access option. Other journals are completely open access, meaning they do not offer a traditional subscription service.
Open access journals have many benefits, such as:
Open access has made it easier for predatory journal publishers to attract unsuspecting or new authors. These predatory journal publishers often publish any article for a fee without peer review and with questionable ethical and copyright policies. Here we show you eight ways to spot predatory open access journals.
One way to identify credible open access journals is their index status. However, be aware that some predatory journals will falsely list indexes or display logos on their website. It is good practice to make sure the journal is indexed on the index's website before submitting your article to that journal.
There are several journal indexes out there. Some of the most popular indexes are as follows:
It is easy to assume that indexed journals will have higher impact factors, but indexation and impact factor are unrelated.
Many credible journals don't have impact factors, but they are indexed in several well-known indexes. Therefore, the lack of an impact factor may not accurately represent the credibility of a journal.
Of course, impact factors may be important for other reasons, such as institutional requirements or grant funding. Read this authoritative piece on the uses, importance, and limitations of impact factors.
Selecting an indexed journal is an important part of the publication journey. Indexation can tell you a lot about a journal. Publishing in an indexed journal can increase the visibility and credibility of your research. If you're having trouble selecting a journal for publication, consider learning more about AJE's journal recommendation service.