Should You Aim for a Q1 Journal? Pros, Cons, and Alternatives
Learn the pros and cons of publishing in Q1 journals, discover practical alternatives (Q2–Q4), and understand how to choose the right journal for your research.
For many researchers—especially graduate students, early-career academics, and scholars preparing for promotion—the term “Q1 journal” often represents the highest level of academic prestige. But while publishing in Q1 journals sounds like the ideal goal, the reality is more complex. Not every manuscript is suited for a Q1 journal, not every research timeline allows for it, and in some cases, aiming exclusively for Q1 might even hinder your academic progress.
This guide explains the pros and cons of targeting Q1 journals, what you need to know before submitting, and practical alternatives that still benefit your academic career. At the end, you will also find information about SITA Academy’s publication support services for Q1–Q4 journals.
What Is a Q1 Journal? (Quick Definition)
Q1 journals are those ranked in the top 25% of journals in their subject category based on citation metrics such as SJR (Scimago Journal Rank) or CiteScore. Quartiles include:
Q1: Top 25%
Q2: 25–50%
Q3: 50–75%
Q4: Bottom 25%
These quartiles are based on Scopus’s SJR or CiteScore metrics. A journal can be Q1 in one subject area and Q2 in another, depending on classification.
Should You Aim for a Q1 Journal?
Most researchers want Q1 because:
It boosts CVs for academic promotion
It increases research visibility
It is seen as a sign of research excellence
But the decision is not that simple. Below is a balanced assessment.
Pros of Publishing in Q1 Journals
A. Highest Academic Prestige
Publishing in a Q1 journal strengthens your CV, especially for:
PhD applications
Postdoc opportunities
Faculty promotion
Grant funding
A Q1 publication demonstrates that your work meets top standards.
B. Stronger Citation Potential
Q1 journals usually have:
High readership
Strong influence in their fields
Larger global audiences
This increases the chance of your article being cited.
C. Strong Peer-Review Quality
Q1 journals often have:
Highly qualified reviewers
Strict peer-review processes
Clear publication ethics practices
A Q1 publication signals trustworthiness and research maturity.
D. Better Indexing & Visibility
Most Q1 journals are indexed in:
Scopus
Web of Science
PubMed (in medical fields)
Reputable academic databases
This ensures long-term discoverability of your research.
Cons of Aiming for Q1 Journals
A. Extremely High Rejection Rates
Q1 journals reject 80–95% of submissions.
Even strong papers often get rejected due to:
Lack of novelty
Limited methodological contribution
Scope mismatch
Reviewer preferences
A strong rejection can delay your academic progress.
B. Very Slow Review Times
Q1 journals often have:
Long review cycles (4–12 months)
Multiple revision rounds
Resubmission delays
For researchers with deadlines—promotion, thesis submission, graduation—this can be a major issue.
C. APC (Article Processing Charges) May Be Expensive
Some Q1 journals, especially open access titles, charge:
$2,000 to $7,000 USD or more
Not all researchers have access to funding.
D. Not Suitable for All Manuscript Types
Q1 journals prefer:
Novel theoretical contributions
High-impact methods
Large datasets
Strong conceptual frameworks
If your manuscript is descriptive, exploratory, local case-based, or has limited sample size, it may not qualify.
E. Emphasis on Novelty May Exclude Practical Work
Applied studies, replication research, or locally focused work often gets rejected—not because they lack quality, but because they are not “novel enough.”
Alternatives to Q1 Journals (That Are Still Strong & Reliable)
Targeting Q1 is not the only path to academic success. Many researchers progress significantly through Q2 and Q3 journals, which are often:
Faster to publish
More suitable for applied or practical studies
More open to diverse methodologies
Still indexed in Scopus or Web of Science
Here are practical alternatives:
A. Q2 Journals
Perfect for:
High-quality empirical research
Applied studies
Strong but not groundbreaking work
Advantages:
More reasonable acceptance rates
Faster review times
Still highly valued in academia
B. Q3 Journals
Best for:
Regional studies
Applied or case-based work
Research with modest sample sizes
Advantages:
Faster acceptance
Lower competition
Still Scopus-indexed and recognized
C. Q4 Journals
Good for:
Early-career researchers
First-time authors
Applied or niche areas
Advantages:
Much higher acceptance rates
Short publication timelines
Ideal for building initial publication records
Choosing the right quartile should be based on:
Your research quality
Your timeline
Your funding availability
Your academic goals
Important Reminder: Your Paper Must Match Q1 Standards
Even if your paper is submitted to Q1, Q2, or Q3, it still needs:
strong methodology
clear contribution
originality
proper English editing
plagiarism-free content
correct journal formatting
Submitting a paper below Q1 standards to a Q1 journal almost always results in rejection.
Even Q3 journals now reject poorly edited or poorly structured manuscripts.
How SITA Academy Helps You Publish in Q1–Q4 Journals
SITA Academy offers full publication support services to increase your acceptance chances at all quartile levels.
A. Free Journal Recommendation
We analyze:
Your manuscript
Field of study
Methodology
Publication timeline
Q-level preference
APC budget
We recommend suitable journals with over 90% acceptance probability based on fit and past client results.
B. Manuscript Preparation Services
Our team provides:
Native English editing
Plagiarism checking and removal
Formatting according to journal guidelines
Abstract restructuring
Reference correction (APA, MLA, Chicago, Vancouver, etc.)
C. Submission and Peer-Review Support
We assist with:
Cover letter writing
Submission management
Handling reviewer comments
Resubmission strategy
Communication with editors
D. End-to-End Support Until Publication
We guide you from:
Journal selection
→ Submission
→ Revisions
→ Acceptance
→ Final publication
This reduces stress, avoids mistakes, and improves your chances significantly.
Final Advice: Aim Smart, Not Just High
Choosing a journal is a strategic decision.
A Q1 journal might be the best choice—but only if:
your manuscript has strong novelty
you have time to wait
you can afford APCs (if open access)
Otherwise, Q2 or Q3 journals might offer a better balance of:
speed
acceptance probability
journal credibility
Publishing is not just about prestige—it's about visibility, relevance, and consistency.
