What is SCI? What is SSCI? What is AHCI? What is ABDC? What is Q1, Q2, Q3, Q4? What is Scopus? What is Open Access / Subscription / Hybrid? What is IF (Impact Factor)?

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Explanation of Journal Categories Used in PhD Publication Requirements

In PhD thesis submission rules, different journal categories are mentioned such as SCI, SSCI, AHCI, ABDC, Scopus, Q1, Impact Factor, Open Access, etc. Understanding these terms is very important because your points depend on them.

1. SCI – Science Citation Index

SCI is a database of high-quality science and engineering journals maintained by Clarivate (Web of Science).

  • Includes journals in Engineering, Medicine, Physics, Chemistry, Biology, etc.
  • Only reputed and peer-reviewed journals are included.
  • Very difficult to get published compared to Scopus journals.

Meaning: SCI = Top-level science journals.

2. SSCI – Social Science Citation Index

SSCI is also part of Web of Science and covers social science subjects.

  • Includes Economics, Management, Education, Psychology, Sociology, Law, etc.
  • Used mainly for Arts & Commerce related PhD scholars.

Meaning: SSCI = High-quality social science journals.

3. AHCI – Arts and Humanities Citation Index

AHCI is for arts and humanities disciplines.

  • Includes History, Literature, Philosophy, Languages, Culture, Arts, etc.
  • Quality based more on content than citations.

Meaning: AHCI = Reputed Arts & Humanities journals.

4. ABDC – Australian Business Deans Council List

ABDC is a journal ranking list used mainly for Management, Business, and Commerce.

  • Ranks journals as A*, A, B, and C.
  • A* and A are very high quality.
  • B and C are lower quality.

Meaning: ABDC = Business & Management journal ranking system.

5. Q1, Q2, Q3, Q4 – Quartile Ranking

Quartiles show the position of a journal in its subject area.

  • Q1: Top 25% journals (best quality)
  • Q2: 26%–50% journals
  • Q3: 51%–75% journals
  • Q4: Bottom 25% journals

Meaning: Q1 is best, Q4 is lowest.

6. Impact Factor (IF)

Impact Factor measures how often articles in a journal are cited.

  • Higher IF = more reputed journal
  • Low IF = less influence

Example: IF = 5 means average 5 citations per article.

7. Scopus

Scopus is a large abstract and citation database by Elsevier.

  • Covers more journals than SCI
  • Quality is moderate compared to SCI
  • Easier to publish than SCI

Meaning: Scopus = International database, but not top-tier like SCI.

8. Open Access Journal

Open Access journals allow anyone to read articles for free.

  • Usually author pays publication fee (APC)
  • Quality depends on publisher

9. Subscription-Based Journal

Subscription journals are paid by libraries and institutions.

  • Reader pays, not author
  • Usually high quality

10. Hybrid Journal

Hybrid journals are both subscription and open access.

  • Author can choose paid OA option
  • Still a reputed subscription journal

11. Book Chapter (Scopus Indexed)

Book chapters published in Scopus-indexed books are counted.

  • Less weight than journal papers
  • Good for early research exposure

12. Conference Paper (Scopus Indexed)

Papers published in Scopus-indexed conferences are counted.

  • Fast publication
  • Lower weight than journals

13. Patent Published

Patent published means invention is disclosed but not approved yet.

14. Patent Granted

Patent granted means invention is legally approved.

  • More valuable than patent published
  • Shows originality of work

Key Point

At least one paper must be in SCI journal to submit PhD thesis.


Source: sureshtechlabs.com


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