The March 2025 update on Scopus-indexed Iraqi journals highlights a crucial achievement for Iraq in the world of academic research. With 35 journals now indexed in Scopus, Iraq is making substantial strides in scientific publishing and ensuring that its researchers are getting the international recognition they deserve.
In recent years, research in Iraq has attracted more international attention, largely due to the increasing number of Iraqi journals now indexed in Scopus. Many Iraqi universities are investing more in research quality, enhancing their peer-review processes, and collaborating with global academic institutions. These efforts have paid off, leading to more Iraqi journals being accepted into the prestigious Scopus database, a platform that gives Iraqi scholars access to a worldwide audience.
As more journals from Iraq are indexed, it creates more opportunities for researchers to share their findings with the global community. Scopus indexing not only increases visibility but also helps enhance citation impact, allowing Iraqi scholars to contribute to significant global scientific advancements. This growing presence on Scopus strengthens Iraq’s position in academia and boosts its research innovation on the world stage.
35 Scopus-Indexed Journals covering a variety of disciplines including science, engineering, medicine, agriculture, and more.
University of Baghdad leads the way with 8 journals, followed by the University of Mosul with 4 journals, and the University of Diyala with 3 journals.
Highest-Ranked Journal: The Mesopotamian Journal of Cybersecurity (Imam Jaafar Al-Sadiq University) holds the top position with a Cite Score of 6.1 and an FWCI of 7.29, showcasing its significant impact in the field.
Top-Quartile Journals:
Iraqi Journal of Veterinary Sciences: Ranked Q1 with a Cite Score of 4.1 and an FWCI of 1.47.
Iraqi Journal of Agricultural Sciences: Ranked Q2 with a Cite Score of 3.2 and an FWCI of 1.07.
Karbala International Journal of Modern Science: Ranked Q2 with a Cite Score of 3.2 and an FWCI of 0.66.
These highlights underscore the growing influence of Iraqi research, with a significant number of high-ranking journals contributing to global academic discussions.
If you’re new to the world of academic publishing, you might be wondering what the Scopus rankings actually mean. Let’s break it down:
Cite Score: This measures the average number of citations received by articles in a journal over the past four years. A higher Cite Score typically means that the journal is having a bigger impact within its field.
Quartiles (Q1-Q4): Journals are categorized into quartiles based on their Cite Score:
Q1: Top 25% of journals – the most impactful.
Q2: 25% to 50% – well-respected, but not as highly ranked as Q1 journals.
Q3: 50% to 75% – moderate impact journals.
Q4: Bottom 25% – emerging journals with lower impact.
Field-Weighted Citation Impact (FWCI): This compares a journal’s citation impact against others in the same field. A FWCI value above 1.0 means that the journal performs better than the average in its field.
Journals with high Cite Scores and Q1 or Q2 rankings are often the most desirable for researchers. Publishing in such journals enhances visibility and increases the chances of being cited by scholars across the globe. It also helps elevate the academic standing of the universities that support such research.
Here’s a look at the number of Scopus-indexed journals across various Iraqi universities:
University of Baghdad: 8 Journals (the highest) |
University of Mosul: 4 Journals |
University of Diyala: 3 Journals |
Imam Jaafar Al-Sadiq University: 2 Journals |
Tikrit University: 2 Journals |
University of Kufa: 2 Journals |
University of Anbar: 2 Journals |
University of Basrah: 2 Journals |
Other universities such as Mustansiriyah University, University of Babylon, University of Technology, and several others each contribute one journal to the list.
This spread across multiple universities highlights Iraq’s growing academic strength and its expanding role in global research.
Publishing in a Scopus-indexed journal comes with several important advantages:
Global Recognition: Scopus-indexed research is visible worldwide, allowing your work to reach an international audience.
Increased Citations: Being indexed in Scopus means your research is more likely to be cited by scholars from all over the world.
Academic & Career Growth: Many universities and funding agencies look for publications in Scopus-indexed journals when considering promotions, funding, or PhD admissions.
Better Research Collaboration: Scopus-indexing helps connect Iraqi researchers with global experts in their field, promoting valuable collaborations.
If you’re an Iraqi researcher aiming to publish in a Scopus-indexed journal, follow these steps:
Choose the Right Journal: Pick a journal that fits your research field and has a strong ranking.
Follow Submission Guidelines: Ensure your paper is formatted according to the journal's submission rules.
Write High-Quality Research: Focus on originality, clarity, and strong analysis.
Submit for Peer Review: Be prepared to revise your work based on feedback from reviewers.
Confirm Indexing Status: Always double-check that the journal is officially indexed in Scopus to avoid predatory publishers.
While publishing in Scopus is a significant achievement, it does come with challenges:
High Rejection Rates: Solution: Ensure your research is high-quality, and your writing is clear and precise.
Plagiarism: Solution: Use plagiarism detection tools and cite all sources correctly.
Publication Fees: Solution: Many universities offer grants or funding programs to help cover publication costs.
With 35 journals indexed in Scopus and continued improvements in research quality, Iraq is poised for even greater success in academic publishing. Universities are working toward increasing the number of indexed journals, improving journal rankings (Cite Scores and Quartiles), and fostering more international collaborations.
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