Why Is a Journal’s Indexing Discontinued?
Journal indexing in databases like Scopus and Web of Science is not permanent. Indexing can be discontinued if a journal fails to maintain required quality and ethical standards. This is done to protect researchers and maintain the credibility of the database.
Major Reasons for Indexing Discontinuation
1. Poor or Fake Peer Review
If a journal:
- Conducts superficial reviews
- Accepts papers too quickly
- Shows evidence of manipulated peer review
Indexing bodies consider this a serious violation.
2. Decline in Article Quality
Even previously good journals may:
- Start publishing low-quality or irrelevant papers
- Accept large volumes without proper screening
This signals a drop in quality, leading to reevaluation.
3. Ethical Violations
Indexing can be discontinued if the journal is involved in:
- Plagiarism issues
- Excessive self-citation
- Citation manipulation
- Publishing unethical research
Ethics are non-negotiable.
4. Irregular Publication Schedule
Journals must publish:
- On time
- With consistent volume
Delays, skipped issues, or sudden bulk publications raise red flags.
5. Excessive Self-Citation or Citation Cartels
If a journal artificially inflates metrics by:
- Forcing authors to cite the same journal
- Coordinating citation exchanges
Indexing agencies may penalize or delist the journal.
6. Weak Editorial Board or Lack of Transparency
Problems include:
- Fake or inactive editors
- Editors publishing excessively in the same journal
- Lack of clear editorial and ethics policies
This damages trust.
7. Change in Publisher or Management
Sometimes, when:
- A journal changes ownership
- Editorial policies suddenly change
Quality may drop, triggering reevaluation.
8. Failure in Periodic Re-evaluation
Indexing databases regularly re-evaluate journals.
If minimum benchmarks are not met during review, indexing may be discontinued.
What “Discontinued” Actually Means
- Past articles usually remain indexed
- New articles are not indexed
- The journal loses quartile ranking and metrics
- Academic value of new papers is significantly reduced
Why Indexing Bodies Do This
Their goal is to:
- Maintain database credibility
- Protect researchers from predatory publishing
- Ensure global academic standards
Discontinuation is a quality control mechanism, not a punishment.
How Researchers Can Protect Themselves
- Always check current indexing status
- Look for coverage years in Scopus/Web of Science
- Avoid journals offering sudden fast-track publication
- Prefer stable Q1/Q2 journals
- Verify indexing status before final submission
Conclusion
Journal indexing is discontinued when quality, ethics, or consistency decline. Indexing is a continuous responsibility, not a lifetime guarantee.
In one line:
Indexing is earned repeatedly — quality must be maintained, not assumed.