Step-by-step guide for Malaysian researchers to publish articles in Scopus-indexed journals. Tips on journal selection, formatting, and submission included.
In Malaysia, publishing in Scopus-indexed journals is a crucial step for researchers at various academic levels. Whether you are a postgraduate student, faculty member, or independent researcher, getting your work published in a reputable journal helps enhance your academic profile, meet university requirements, and gain international recognition. This article provides a comprehensive guide for Malaysian researchers on how to publish their research papers in Scopus journals.
Different groups in Malaysia have specific reasons for needing Scopus publications:
Master’s and PhD students: Universities like University of Malaya (UM) and Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM) require students to have at least one article published in a Scopus-indexed journal to meet graduation requirements.
Faculty members: For lecturers and professors, publishing in Scopus journals is often tied to academic performance evaluations, promotions, and the university’s ranking.
Independent researchers: Many independent academics seek Scopus publication to build credibility, increase visibility, and contribute to their field of study.
Publishing in Scopus helps all these groups achieve both academic and professional goals.
Malaysian Universities’ Publication Requirements
Many Malaysian universities require postgraduate students to publish in indexed journals (often Scopus or Web of Science) before graduation. Below is a summary table of selected institutions and the publication criteria for research-based degrees (typically Master’s by Research and Ph.D.):
University | Degree Level | Publication Requirement (indexed journals) |
Universiti Malaya (UM) | Ph.D. (Engineering) | Two (2) full-length research articles (or equivalent) in WoS/Scopus-indexed journals. (For M.Eng.Sc, at least one article.) |
Master’s (Engineering) | At least one (1) full-length research or review article in a WoS/Scopus-indexed journal | |
Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM) | Ph.D. (Science/Engineering) | Must have either ≥1 article accepted/published in a WoS-indexed journal or ≥2 articles in Scopus/ERA/MyCite-indexed journals |
Master’s (By Research) | At least one (1) publication (journal/conference/book chapter) accepted or published during candidature | |
Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM) | Ph.D. (Medicine) | Two (2) articles accepted (Scopus or WoS-indexed journals) for Ph.D. graduation |
Master’s (Medical Science) | One (1) article accepted (Scopus or WoS-indexed) | |
Ph.D. (Ethnic Studies, KITA) | Two (2) articles in ISI/Scopus-indexed journals | |
Master’s (Ethnic Studies, KITA) | One (1) article in an ISI/Scopus-indexed journal. | |
Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM) | Ph.D. and Master’s (by Research) | Reportedly, postgraduate students must publish in Scopus-indexed journals. (E.g. at least one Scopus-indexed paper required) [Official guidelines emphasize Scopus/ERA]. |
International Islamic University Malaysia (IIUM) | Ph.D. (by Research) | All Ph.D. students must have at least one (1) paper accepted in an indexed journal before thesis submission. (Indexed = Scopus/WoS/ERA, etc.) |
Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM) | Ph.D. and Master’s (by Research) | University policy requires candidates to publish in journals indexed by ISI/Scopus/PubMed (often at least one paper) before graduation |
Universiti Malaysia Pahang (UMP) | Ph.D. (by Research) | Ph.D. candidates must publish two (2) peer-reviewed articles (at least one as journal paper) to graduate. |
Master’s (by Research) | Master’s candidates must publish one (1) peer-reviewed article | |
Universiti Malaysia Kelantan (UMK) | Ph.D. (by Research) | Ph.D. students must produce two (2) publications accepted or published in Scopus/WoS/MyCite-indexed outlets |
Master’s (by Research) | Master’s students must produce one (1) publication accepted or published in Scopus/WoS/MyCite-indexed outlets | |
Universiti Malaysia Terengganu (UMT) | Ph.D. (by Research) | Ph.D. students need two (2) articles (accepted) in WoS or Scopus-indexed journals |
Master’s (by Research) | Master’s students need one (1) article (accepted) in a WoS/Scopus-indexed journal | |
Universiti Teknologi MARA (UiTM) | Ph.D. (by Research) | Ph.D. candidates must have two (2) indexed publications (ERA/Scopus/WoS), with at least one published |
Master’s (by Research) | Master’s candidates must have one (1) indexed publication (ERA/Scopus/WoS) accepted | |
Universiti Malaysia Sabah (UMS) | Ph.D. and Master’s (by Research) | Candidates are required to fulfil publication criteria (e.g. at least one article in Scopus/PubMed/etc.) before graduation |
Universiti Utara Malaysia (UUM) | Ph.D. (by Research) | Ph.D. candidates must produce two (2) articles: either (a) at least one accepted in an ISI/Scopus journal and one under review, or (b) two published in refereed journals |
Master’s (by Research) | (Varies by faculty; often similar 1-article requirement). | |
Universiti Malaysia Sarawak (UNIMAS) | Ph.D. (by Research) | Ph.D. students must have two (2) papers in indexed journals (Science/Tech/Med: Scopus; SocSci: ERA) |
Master’s (by Research) | Master’s students must have one (1) paper in indexed journals |
Sources: University postgraduate regulations and guidelines. The above requirements are drawn from official rules and handbooks of each institution. Always verify the current criteria on the university’s official website or graduate handbook for the most up-to-date information.
Publishing becomes very achievable if you approach it carefully and plan well. The first step is to have a standard research paper ready for publication.
If you do not have a fully prepared paper, you can transform your thesis or dissertation into multiple publishable articles.
Tip: Send your thesis or dissertation to us to see how many papers can be extracted and suggested titles.
Selecting the correct journal is one of the most important steps. This choice can determine whether your paper is accepted or rejected.
The journal should match your paper’s topic and methodology.
It should also comply with your university’s publication requirements.
Read the author guidelines carefully.
Check the word count, formatting style, citation requirements, and figure/table arrangements.
Proper formatting increases the likelihood of acceptance.
Prepare all required materials, including the manuscript, cover letter, and supplementary documents.
Submit via the journal’s online platform (e.g., ScholarOne, Editorial Manager, or similar).
Ensure all files are correctly formatted and complete before submission.
SITA Academy is one of the internationally recognized research centers offering full publication support in Scopus journals.
We have helped numerous students and faculty members from different fields successfully publish their research.
Our services include journal recommendation, manuscript formatting, submission handling, and support throughout the entire publication process.
To speak with our publication specialists, use the online chat or WhatsApp button below for quick and easy assistance.
Publishing your research in Scopus journals is an important milestone for Malaysian researchers. By preparing a high-quality manuscript, choosing the right journal, and following the correct submission procedures, you can significantly increase your chances of acceptance.
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