The Strategic Role of Indexing in Scholarly Publishing

What are indexing databases in scholarly publishing?

Indexing databases, in the context of scholarly publishing, are directories or collections that list and organise published scholarly literature, such as journal articles. They provide a structured way to discover and access published research. Journals often aim to be included in these databases. Examples mentioned in the sources include the Web of Science (WoS), which includes categories like SCIE, SSCI, AHCI, and ESCI, the Directory of Open Access Journals (DOAJ), the ISSN portal, PubMed Central (PMC), and resources listed in the Keepers Registry.

Why are indexing databases important for scholarly journals?

Indexing databases are crucial for a journal's visibility, credibility, and development.

Visibility and Discoverability: Being indexed makes a journal's content easier for researchers to find and access. This widespread dissemination is a key goal.
Credibility and Reputation: Inclusion in reputable databases like WoS or DOAJ can enhance a journal's standing and trust among scholars. Journals are assessed against high-level criteria by international organisations, including those associated with certain indexing bodies. Checking if a publisher is a member of associations like COPE, OASPA, or STM, and if their journals are listed in DOAJ, can be part of assessing journal quality.
Journal Development: Achieving indexing in major databases is a significant goal for journals and is seen as vital for development. It can help attract authors and improve the journal's impact. For example, indexing in WoS categories like Substance Abuse can be seen as a path to increasing the journal's impact factor and ranking.
Attracting Authors: Scholars often consider factors like impact factor, processing time, and the composition of the editorial board, and noticing distinguished scholars on the board or a Guest Editor well known in their field can attract quality research. Similarly, a journal's indexing status influences authors' decisions on where to submit. Market analysis can indicate a high demand for Open Access journals, and indexing in relevant categories is a key factor for authors seeking OA publication venues.

What types of indexing databases are mentioned in the sources?

The sources mention several types of indexing databases and related directories:

Web of Science (WoS): This includes various indexes such as Science Citation Index Expanded (SCIE), Social Sciences Citation Index (SSCI), Arts & Humanities Citation Index (AHCI), and Emerging Sources Citation Index (ESCI). Journals are evaluated for inclusion based on quality and impact criteria.
ISSN Portal: Journals should be indexed in the ISSN portal. The journal's website should show both print and/or online ISSNs.
DOAJ (Directory of Open Access Journals): A community-curated online directory indexing high-quality, open access, peer-reviewed journals across all fields. It is one of the organisations endorsing the Principles of Transparency and Best Practice in Scholarly Publishing. Checking if a publisher's journals are listed in DOAJ is part of assessing potential journal affiliations.
Archiving Databases: Examples given include PMC (PubMed Central) and those listed in the Keepers Registry. These databases play a role in the long-term preservation of journal content.

How can a journal improve its chances of being indexed by important databases?

Journals seeking indexing in databases like WoS need to meet specific criteria related to quality and impact.

Quality Criteria: These can include having an ISSN, a unique journal title, a properly supported and maintained website with security features (like HTTPS), clear aims and scope, stated target readership, defined article types, authorship criteria, and a transparent peer review policy. Compliance with editorial and ethical standards, clear writing, correct methodology, appropriate figures and tables, and proper referencing are also important.
Impact Criteria: These can involve factors like comparative citation analysis, author citation analysis, editorial board citation analysis, and content significance.
Citation and Content: Citation, including that of publications, authors, and editorial board members, is important for indexing in databases like SCIE/SSCI. Focusing on hot or highly cited topics and attracting relevant scholars can help increase citations. Attracting papers of good quality and from distinguished researchers is a goal for journals aiming for indexing.
Editorial Board: Having editorial boards composed of recognized experts in the subject areas is essential. Asking the Editor-in-Chief (EiC) and Editorial Board Members (EBMs) for help in inviting high-quality papers and recommending other EBMs, Guest Editors, and authors can contribute to meeting indexing goals. Distinguished scholars and recognized experts on the Editorial Board can help build trust in the journal.

Do indexing databases play a role in preserving published content?

Yes, some indexing databases are explicitly mentioned in the context of electronic backup and long-term digital preservation. Journals should have a clear plan for preserving content in case the journal or publisher ceases operations, and this plan should be clearly indicated. Examples like PMC and those in the Keepers Registry serve this preservation function. Checking if papers are archived in recognised databases is part of evaluating journal affiliations.