Suresh TechLabs

How to Check Fake SCOPUS Journals How to Check Fake SCOPUS Journals Many researchers fall into fake or predatory journals believing they are SCOPUS indexed. Publishing in such journals can waste money, time, and may damage academic credibility. This article explains clear and reliable methods to verify whether a journal is truly indexed in SCOPUS. 1. Check in Official SCOPUS Source List The only trusted way to verify a SCOPUS journal is through the official SCOPUS database (Elsevier). Go to Scopus Sources (Elsevier official site) Search using: Journal Title ISSN (recommended) If the journal is not found in the SCOPUS list, then it is NOT a SCOPUS journal . 2. Match ISSN Carefully Fake journals often copy the name of real journals. Always verify: Print ISSN Online ISSN The ISSN shown on the journal website must exactly match the ISSN shown in SCOPUS. If ISSN is missing or different, it is a fake claim . 3. Check Publis...

Content Accepted by SCOPUS and SCI Journals SCOPUS and SCI journals do not accept general or blog-style content. They only accept high-quality research-oriented content that follows strict academic standards. 1. Content Types Accepted by SCOPUS & SCI Journals 1.1 Original Research Article (Most Important) This is the primary and most preferred article type. Must contain new idea / new method / new model / new experiment Clear problem statement Proper methodology Results and analysis Comparison with existing work Not Accepted: Only theoretical explanation Copy-paste from books or websites Survey without novelty 1.2 Review Article (Systematic Review / Meta-analysis) Must contain deep analysis Needs 100+ quality references Must identify: Research gaps Trends Challenges Future research directions Not Accepted: Simple blog-style review Only listing papers 1.3 Short Communication / Technical Note Contains small ...

How to Write Thesis Chapters and Publish Papers How to Write Thesis Chapters and Publish Research Papers from Them Writing a PhD thesis and publishing research papers are closely connected. A thesis is a detailed document of the entire research work, while research papers are focused presentations of specific results obtained from that work. A well-planned thesis structure makes it easier to convert chapters into publishable papers. Structure of a Typical Thesis Most theses are divided into standard chapters such as Introduction, Literature Review, Methodology, Results and Discussion, and Conclusion. Each chapter has a specific purpose and can be aligned with paper publication strategy. Thesis Chapter Purpose Paper Potential Introduction Defines problem, objectives, and motivation Used in paper introduction Literature Review Summarizes existing research and gaps Can become a review paper Methodology Explains proposed model or system Main content of...

Best Way to Develop a New Methodology from a Base Paper Best Way to Develop a New Methodology from a Base Paper Developing a new methodology from a base paper is a key skill in research. A base paper provides an existing solution to a research problem, and a new methodology is created by improving, modifying, or extending that solution. The goal is not to copy the method, but to create a better or more suitable approach that adds novelty and research value. The first step is to thoroughly understand the base paper’s methodology. This includes knowing the algorithm, system design, data flow, assumptions, and evaluation method. Without fully understanding the original method, it is impossible to design a meaningful improvement. The next step is to identify weaknesses in the existing methodology. These weaknesses may include low accuracy, high computation cost, limited dataset usage, unrealistic assumptions, lack of optimization, or absence of real-world validation. Each...

How to Request Scopus or SCI to Index a Paper How Can We Ask Scopus or SCI to Make Our Paper Indexed? Many authors believe that they can directly request Scopus or SCI (Web of Science) to index their individual research paper. In reality, authors cannot directly submit their paper to Scopus or SCI for indexing. These databases do not index individual papers based on author requests. Instead, they index journals after evaluating the journal’s overall quality and publishing standards. Scopus and SCI follow a journal-based indexing system. First, a journal must be approved and accepted into the Scopus or Web of Science database. Once a journal is indexed, the papers published in that journal are automatically included according to the database coverage policy. Therefore, the primary requirement for an author is to publish their paper in a journal that is already indexed in Scopus or SCI. If a paper is published in a journal that is not indexed, the author cannot directly...

Does Scopus and SCI Review Papers Before Indexing? Do Scopus and SCI Review Papers Before Indexing, or Are All Papers Shown Automatically? Many researchers believe that once a journal is indexed in Scopus or SCI (Web of Science), every paper published in that journal will automatically appear in the database without any checking. This is a misunderstanding. Scopus and SCI do not directly review individual research papers for quality like a journal reviewer does, but they strictly evaluate journals and continuously monitor their content quality. When a journal applies for indexing in Scopus or SCI, the database first conducts a detailed evaluation of the journal. This includes checking the peer review process, editorial board quality, publication ethics, regularity of issues, citation performance, and academic standards. Only after passing this journal-level review is the journal accepted for indexing. Once a journal is indexed, the papers published in that journal are...

One of the earliest warning signs is unrealistically fast acceptance . Journals that promise acceptance within a few days or one week usually do not follow genuine peer review, which is a major red flag for both Scopus and Web of Science standards. Another strong risk indicator is unclear or missing peer-review information . If the journal website does not clearly explain the review process, reviewer criteria, or editorial workflow, it may indicate poor or fake review practices. False or misleading indexing claims are very common in risky journals. Statements like “Indexed in Scopus/SCI” without proof, or claims that do not match official source lists, should always be verified independently before submission. A weak or suspicious editorial board is also a warning sign. Editors with no academic affiliation, fake profiles, or names that cannot be found on Google Scholar or university websites suggest low credibility. Risky journals often show poor website quality and communi...

A discontinued journal does not automatically make a published paper invalid. In most academic evaluations, the indexing status at the time of publication is what matters, not the current status of the journal. If a journal was indexed in Scopus or Web of Science when the article was published , the paper is generally considered valid for PhD submission and academic promotion. Later discontinuation of the journal usually does not affect the legitimacy of already published work. Problems arise when a paper is published after the journal has been discontinued . In such cases, the article is typically not accepted for PhD requirements or promotion, even if the journal claims indexing on its website. Evaluation committees usually verify validity by checking the coverage years shown in the official Scopus or Web of Science source lists. The publication year must fall within the indexed coverage period of the journal. In some situations, a journal may be downgraded rather than full...

1. For SCI / Web of Science Journals Use the official Web of Science source list. Step-by-step Go to the Web of Science Master Journal List . Search by: Journal title or ISSN (recommended) Check the journal status . How to understand the result Listed with SCIE / SSCI / AHCI / ESCI → Active Not found → Not indexed Previously indexed but removed → Discontinued If a journal moved out of SCIE or SSCI, it may still appear as ESCI . This is still part of Web of Science, but without an Impact Factor . 2. For Scopus Journals Use the official Scopus Sources list. Step-by-step Open Scopus Sources . Search using: ISSN (best method) Journal title Click the journal name. Check these fields carefully Source status Active → Currently indexed Discontinued → Not indexing new articles Coverage years Example: 2015–2022 → Disc...

Scopus continuously monitors indexed journals. A journal can be discontinued when it no longer meets Scopus quality and ethical standards. This usually happens after re-evaluation by the Content Selection & Advisory Board (CSAB) . Violation of Publishing Ethics Journals may be discontinued if they show unethical practices such as plagiarism, fake peer review, manipulated citations, or lack of clear ethics policies. Any serious breach of publication ethics is a strong reason for removal. Poor or Fake Peer Review If Scopus finds that peer review is weak, rushed, non-transparent, or not followed properly, the journal can be flagged. Journals that accept papers too quickly without genuine review are at high risk. Excessive Self-Citation or Citation Manipulation Artificially increasing citations through excessive self-citation or citation cartels is closely monitored. When detected, Scopus may discontinue the journal to protect citation integrity. Decline in Academi...

Scopus indexes journals, books, and conference proceedings based on quality and relevance. Unlike Web of Science, Scopus does not use SCI or SSCI labels, but it categorizes sources in the following ways: Scopus Journals These are peer-reviewed scholarly journals accepted after evaluation by the Content Selection & Advisory Board (CSAB) . They must follow ethical publishing practices, maintain regular schedules, and meet academic standards. Most Scopus-indexed research articles come from this category. Scopus Conference Proceedings Scopus indexes selected international conferences with strong peer review and academic relevance. These are common in engineering, computer science, and technology fields. Not all conferences are indexed—only those that meet Scopus quality criteria. Scopus Book Series Academic book series from reputable publishers are indexed when they contribute original research content. These are common in interdisciplinary and applied research areas. ...

Title and Abstract Similarity in the title usually arises when authors reuse phrases directly from base papers or rely on very common wording in the abstract. To minimize similarity, the title should highlight the specific contribution, dataset, or application of the study rather than generic terminology. In the abstract, similarity often comes from copied background statements. It is advisable to write the abstract after completing the full paper and to describe the problem, approach, and outcomes using a unique narrative flow. Avoid textbook-style opening lines and avoid repeating result statements from previously published works. Introduction High similarity in the introduction typically occurs when authors reuse standard problem descriptions. Instead of beginning with generic definitions, the problem should be explained from the author’s own contextual perspective. When discussing prior studies, ideas from multiple sources should be synthesized into a single analytical paragr...

In research writing, copying text word by word from another paper is not permitted unless it is used as a direct quotation, which is rarely encouraged in technical and scientific papers. Instead, the idea must be rewritten in original language and properly cited. This approach prevents plagiarism while giving due credit to the original author. First, fully understand the original text before attempting to rewrite it. A sentence should never be paraphrased unless its meaning is clearly understood. Read the paragraph carefully, identify the central idea, and detach yourself from the exact wording used by the original author. Second, rewrite the idea using your own sentence structure and vocabulary. Simply replacing a few words or rearranging the sentence order is not sufficient. The new sentence must differ clearly in expression while preserving the original meaning. Third, insert a citation immediately after the rewritten sentence or at the end of the paragraph. This informs t...

A Practical Researcher’s Guide 1. Introduction Methodology is the heart of any research paper . Even a strong problem statement or dataset will fail if the methodology is weak, unclear, or not novel. SCI and Scopus indexed journals do not prefer a specific “format,” but they strictly evaluate the quality, rigor, novelty, and reproducibility of the methodology. This article explains the types of methodologies commonly accepted , along with what editors and reviewers expect. 2. Core Principle: What Journals Actually Look For Regardless of the domain, accepted methodologies must satisfy these 5 conditions : Scientific soundness – logically correct, technically valid Novelty or improvement – new idea or meaningful enhancement Reproducibility – others can repeat your work Justification – every step has a reason Evaluation – results compared with existing methods If these are met, the methodology type is usually acceptable. 3. Types of Methodologies Accepted 3.1 Experimental Methodolo...

Writing a paper for a Scopus-indexed journal requires more rigor than non-indexed journals, but it is more flexible than SCI journals . Scopus journals focus on sound research, clear methodology, and ethical publishing , rather than extreme novelty alone. This article explains the right way to write and prepare a Scopus paper . 1. Understand What Scopus Journals Expect Scopus, maintained by Scopus , indexes journals that meet minimum quality and ethical standards. Most Scopus journals expect: Clear research problem Proper methodology Relevant literature review Valid experimental results Ethical writing with low similarity Incremental improvement is acceptable, but it must be justified . 2. Choose a Clear and Confined Research Topic Scopus journals prefer focused topics .  Weak title: “A Study on Data Mining”  Strong title: “An Improved Random Forest Model for Credit Risk Prediction Using Feature Selection” Your title should clearly indicate: Problem Method Application/domain ...

Writing a paper for an SCI journal is very different from writing a conference paper, college project, or non-indexed journal article. SCI journals expect strong novelty, rigorous validation, and clear academic writing . This article explains the correct approach , step by step. 1. Understand What SCI Journals Actually Expect SCI journals indexed in Web of Science focus on: Original contribution (not repetition) Strong methodology Comparative experimental validation Clear research gap Global relevance Merely applying an existing method to a dataset is not enough . 2. Choose a Narrow and Clear Research Problem SCI papers are confined and focused , not broad.  Weak: “A Study on Machine Learning”  Strong: “A Hybrid Deep Learning Model for Noise-Robust ECG Signal Classification” Your title should clearly show: Problem Method Application 3. Do a Deep Literature Review (Not Descriptive) SCI journals expect: Critical comparison of recent (last 5 years) works Identification of lim...

Submitting a paper to the wrong journal can cost time, money, and academic value . Many journals look professional but carry hidden risks such as poor indexing stability, weak peer review, or future delisting . This guide helps scholars identify risk early and avoid mistakes . Step 1: Verify Official Indexing (Most Important) Never trust claims on the journal website. Check indexing directly on: Scopus (Source Title List) Web of Science (Master Journal List) What to check carefully: Is the journal currently indexed ? What are the coverage years ? Is it marked as “Discontinued” ? High Risk: “Indexed till 2021 only” → New papers won’t be indexed. Step 2: Check Journal Quartile & Stability Look up Q1–Q4 ranking Check if quartile is consistent over years  Red flags: Sudden jump from Q4 → Q1 Quartile missing for recent year Metrics removed suddenly Stable journals usually show gradual changes , not dramatic jumps. Step 3: Examine Peer Review Transparency A safe journal clearly me...

Researchers often ask: “Which country journals have more standards?” The honest academic answer is: journal quality is not decided by country alone , but by editorial practices, peer review rigor, and indexing status . However, historically and structurally, journals from some countries are more strongly associated with high publication standards . Why Country Perception Exists at All The perception comes from: Long academic publishing history Strong research funding ecosystems Well-established publishers Strict ethical enforcement Global editorial diversity Countries that institutionalized these systems earlier tend to host more high-standard journals . Countries Commonly Associated with High-Standard Journals United States (USA) Journals from the USA are often considered top-tier because: Many are indexed in Web of Science Strong peer-review culture High-impact societies and publishers Widely cited and globally read Many Q1 and Q2 journals originate here. United Kingdom (UK) UK jour...

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 Jou...