Suresh TechLabs

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...

Writing a PhD thesis is not just an academic requirement; it is the final proof that you can independently identify a research problem, investigate it rigorously, and contribute new knowledge to your field. A well-written thesis tells a clear research story, demonstrates intellectual maturity, and convinces examiners that your work meets international doctoral standards. A PhD thesis begins long before you start writing. The foundation is a clearly defined research problem that is original, significant, and feasible. As a scholar, you must deeply understand the gap in existing literature and justify why your study is necessary. This clarity shapes everything that follows, from your objectives to your methodology and conclusions. Without a strong research question, even excellent experiments or data analysis will feel disconnected. The introduction of a PhD thesis sets the tone for the entire document. It should gradually move from the broad context of your field to the specific ...

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 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...

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 ...

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...

One of the most confusing questions in research writing is: “What similarity percentage is acceptable?” The honest answer is: there is no universal fixed number , but there are well-accepted academic standards . This article explains how similarity is judged in practice , not myths. First, Understand What Similarity Really Means Similarity tools (like Turnitin ) measure text overlap , not plagiarism itself. Similarity ≠ plagiarism Context and source matter more than total % Universities and journals look beyond the number . Generally Accepted Similarity Ranges Safe Range (Most Accepted) Overall similarity: ≤ 15% Single-source similarity: ≤ 3–5%  Usually accepted by: SCI / Scopus journals PhD thesis submissions University evaluations Borderline Range (Case-by-Case) Overall similarity: 16–25% May be accepted if : Similarity comes from literature review No single source exceeds limits Proper citations are present Methodology is original Often leads to minor revision , not rejection...

High similarity scores can lead to rejection, revision, or ethical concerns . However, reducing similarity does not mean manipulating text or using unethical tricks. Ethical similarity reduction focuses on original writing, proper understanding, and correct citation . Understand Before You Write The most ethical way to reduce similarity is to fully understand the source material . Read the paper, close it, and then write the idea in your own words and structure . Writing from understanding—not copying—is the foundation of originality. Paraphrase Properly (Not Word Replacement) Ethical paraphrasing means: Changing sentence structure Changing flow and logic Using your own academic voice Avoid: Replacing words with synonyms Keeping the same sentence pattern Copying long phrases Tools easily detect such changes. Cite Every Borrowed Idea Whenever you use: A method An algorithm A definition A dataset A concept Add a proper citation . This converts borrowed content into acknowledged knowledg...

In today’s research ecosystem, Google Scholar plays a crucial role in discovering, tracking, and evaluating scholarly work. It is one of the most widely used tools by researchers across the world. Easy Access to Scholarly Literature Google Scholar provides free access to: Journal articles Conference papers Theses and dissertations Books and book chapters Preprints and technical reports Researchers can quickly find relevant literature without needing paid databases. Citation Tracking and Research Impact One of the biggest advantages of Google Scholar is citation tracking . It shows: How many times a paper is cited Who cited the work Author-level metrics like h-index and i10-index These metrics help researchers understand the impact and visibility of their work. Author Profiles and Visibility Researchers can create a Google Scholar profile to: Showcase all publications in one place Track citations automatically Improve global visibility of their research A well-maintained profile hel...