We hosted a webinar on July 9, 2025 on the topic of understanding article and journal-level metrics. We received many questions during the session, which we weren’t able to answer within the allotted time. So, for those who attended the webinar, or those who’d like insight into writing a compelling academic manuscript, we’ve collated our answers to the questions below.
If you’re interested in watching the recording of this webinar or exploring one of our previous webinars, complete the form at this link and receive immediate access to our full library of webinar recordings.
Journal Metrics
Do journals that are newer and not yet indexed struggle with attracting high-quality submissions?
Yes, this a common challenge for new and unindexed journals. Additionally, many authors are required by their funder or affiliated institution to publish in indexed journals, which limits their choice of journals to submit to.
How do research impact metrics vary across Q1 through Q4 journal classifications in the sciences?
Quartile rankings (Q1–Q4) are derived from a journal’s position within its subject category based on metrics like Impact Factor (IF), SCImago Journal Rank (SJR), and others. For example:
- Q1: Top 25% of journals in a category
- Q2: 25–50%
- Q3: 50–75%
- Q4: Bottom 25%
These rankings are recalculated annually by services like Clarivate’s Journal Citation Reports (JCR), Scopus, and the SCImago Journal Rank.
Q1 journals have IFs well above the median for their field. For instance, journals like Nature Reviews Molecular Cell Biology (IF ~37.4) and New England Journal of Medicine (IF ~19.1) dominate Q1. Q1 journals have a higher volume of citations per article, but also a wider variance. Some articles are highly cited, while others are not. Q4 journals may have fewer total citations and a lower citation velocity, meaning it takes longer for articles to accrue citations. As we discuss in the above question, Q4 journals may struggle with visibility, especially if they are newer.
Please note that citations are only one measure of influence. Broader strategies like special issues, timely topics, and shareable content can boost visibility regardless of quartile. Plus, quartile shifts can occur due to changes in category definitions or the inclusion of new journals (e.g., ESCI and AHCI titles now receiving IFs and rankings). Also, citations vary year to year, so journals can move around in rank.
Do indexed journals typically favor group research over individual submissions?
This depends on the journal and varies depending on their submission guidelines. It might also depend on the requirements for specific article types. It is best to inquire with the editorial team for the journal to discover their preferences and what they expect from authors. Contact information for editorial teams is typically at the bottom of the submission guidelines.
Article Metrics
How reliable are the metrics provided by ResearchGate?
ResearchGate offers several metrics to gauge research visibility and engagement, including reads (how often a publication is viewed or downloaded), citations based on references to the work in other publications, and Research Interest Score (RIS), a composite metric reflecting engagement with a researcher’s work. These metrics are designed to provide quick insights into how a researcher’s work is being accessed and discussed within the platform. It’s worth noting that ResearchGate is a valuable platform for networking and accessing research, but its metrics can easily be misinterpreted. If you’re using ResearchGate metrics to evaluate research or researcher visibility, use them as supplementary indicators, not primary ones, and cross-reference with indexed sources like Scopus, Web of Science, or Google Scholar. Plus, be mindful of context. High-read counts may reflect curiosity or controversy, not necessarily quality.
Can articles published on an independent researcher's website be indexed?
Journals typically apply for indexing in databases such as Web of Science, Scopus, and PubMed. Common requirements for these services include having an ISSN for the publication, registered DOIs for the articles, and clearly stated peer review policies, which makes it unlikely that an independent researcher’s website would be indexed. How can I track the impact of my research?
The article-level metrics reviewed in the webinar cover many of the ways to track the impact of your research. These include downloads, citations, Altmetrics, author h-indexes, and Sage Policy Profiles. It is important to consider multiple sources to comprehensively measure impact.
