Indexing and Procedures
Indexing and Procedures
Indexing in publishing refers to the process of registering journals, books, or conference proceedings in recognized bibliographic and abstracting databases such as Scopus, Web of Science, PubMed, DOAJ, ProQuest, CrossRef, and Google Scholar.
It acts as a quality benchmark: indexed publications are considered credible, visible, and discoverable by global researchers.
In simple terms: If a journal/book is indexed, its content becomes searchable, citable, and accessible worldwide.
Types of Indexing
General Indexing
Includes open platforms like Google Scholar, ResearchGate, Academia.edu.
Basic discoverability but no rigorous quality evaluation.
Basic discoverability but no rigorous quality evaluation.
Scholarly / Abstracting & Indexing (A&I) Databases
Professional indexing bodies with strict evaluation standards. Examples: Scopus, Web of Science, PubMed, ProQuest, EBSCO.
Adds credibility and recognition.
Adds credibility and recognition.
Discipline-Specific Indexing
For specialized fields, e.g., ERIC (education), PsycINFO (psychology), AGRIS (agriculture).
o Enhances subject visibility.
o Enhances subject visibility.
National Indexing Systems
Country-specific databases, e.g., UGC-CARE (India), CNKI (China), SciELO (Latin America).
Citation Indexing
Tracks and measures how many times a work is cited.
Examples: Web of Science Core Collection, Scopus Citation Index, Google Scholar Citations.
Examples: Web of Science Core Collection, Scopus Citation Index, Google Scholar Citations.
Procedures & Workflow Mechanism of Indexing
Indexing involves multiple stages carried out by both publishers and indexing agencies:
Preparation by Publisher
Ensure journal/book meets basic standards: ISSN/ISBN, peer-review, editorial board, DOI registration.
Maintain regular publication frequency.
Follow ethical policies (COPE, plagiarism check, open access compliance).
Application to Indexing Body
Publisher submits an indexing application with:
ournal/book details
Editorial policies
Sample issues/articles
Proof of peer review and ethical guidelines
ournal/book details
Editorial policies
Sample issues/articles
Proof of peer review and ethical guidelines
Evaluation Process
Indexing body evaluates based on:
Quality of research content
Citation frequency and relevance
International diversity of authors/editors
Publication ethics compliance
Technical standards (DOI, ORCID, XML metadata)
Quality of research content
Citation frequency and relevance
International diversity of authors/editors
Publication ethics compliance
Technical standards (DOI, ORCID, XML metadata)
Approval or Rejection
If approved, journal/book is indexed in the database.
If rejected, feedback is given, and resubmission can be attempted later.
If rejected, feedback is given, and resubmission can be attempted later.
Continuous Monitoring
Indexed journals are regularly monitored.
Poor performance (plagiarism, irregular issues, unethical practices) may lead to delisting.
Poor performance (plagiarism, irregular issues, unethical practices) may lead to delisting.
Uses and Applications of Indexing
- Enhanced Visibility: Research is discoverable by global scholars, students, and practitioners.
- Citation Growth: Indexed papers attract more citations due to accessibility.
- Academic Recognition: Indexed publications are valued in hiring, promotions, tenure, and grant applications.
- Quality Assurance: Indexing indicates adherence to international publishing and peer-review standards.
- Networking and Collaboration: Global researchers can discover and connect with authors.
- Policy Impact: Indexed work is often cited in government, industry, and policy reports.
Advantages (Pros) of Indexing
- Credibility: Being indexed signals quality and authenticity.
- Visibility: Indexed works appear in academic searches worldwide.
- Citations & Impact: Higher chances of being cited.
- Career Benefits: Strengthens academic CV, supports promotions and funding.
- Institutional Ranking: Universities gain prestige when their scholars publish in indexed venues.
- Global Networking: Easier to collaborate across borders.
Disadvantages (Cons) of Indexing
- Time-Consuming: Application and approval process can take months or years.
- Strict Criteria: Many journals/books are rejected due to low quality or irregularity.
- Bias Toward English: Many top indexes prefer English publications, limiting non-English research visibility.
- Costs: Some indexing and DOI registration require financial investment.
- Delisting Risk: If a journal fails to maintain quality, it may be removed, damaging its reputation.
- Pressure on Authors: Some institutions only value indexed publications, ignoring other meaningful contributions.
