How to Know If a Journal Is Truly Q1: The Verification Checklist
Learn how to verify whether a journal is truly Q1 using JCR, Scimago, indexing databases, ISSN checks, and citation metrics. Includes a complete Q1 verification checklist and professional publication assistance from SITA Academy.
Many researchers—especially early-career academics and those with promotion or graduation deadlines—aim to publish in Q1 journals. Q1 journals (first quartile) sit in the top 25% of journals in a subject category and are often seen as a marker of prestige and visibility. But the label “Q1” is not something a journal can self-assign without evidence: it’s computed from citation metrics and depends on the index and subject category used. In this article you’ll get a clear, practical, step-by-step guide for verifying whether a journal is genuinely Q1, different ways to check, and a compact checklist table you can use next time you evaluate a target journal.
Quick primer: what “Q1” means (short)
Q1 = first quartile (top 25%) within a journal subject category.
Quartiles are typically calculated by citation databases (Clarivate Web of Science’s Journal Citation Reports, Scimago/Scopus SJR, etc.).
Important: A journal can be Q1 in one subject category and Q2/Q3 in another. Always check the correct subject category that matches your research.
Step-by-step guide: How to verify a journal is truly Q1
1. Identify which index and metric you or your institution care about
Different institutions accept different sources: Clarivate JCR (Impact Factor and JCR quartiles), Scimago (SJR and quartiles from Scopus data), or national/university lists. Before you check, know which one matters for your promotion, thesis, or funding.
2. Find the journal’s official title and ISSN
Make sure you have the exact journal name and preferably the print/electronic ISSN. Many journals have similar names—ISSN avoids confusion.
3. Check the Journal Citation Reports (JCR) — Clarivate (if your institution uses WoS)
Use JCR to confirm the journal’s Impact Factor and its quartile in the relevant Web of Science subject category.
Verify the year (quartiles can change year-to-year). Use the most recent annual JCR available.
4. Check Scimago Journal & Country Rank (SJR) — Scopus data
Search the journal on SJR to see its SJR indicator, H-index, subject categories, and its quartile(s).
Again, confirm the year and subject category used for the quartile.
5. Cross-reference indexing status (WoS / Scopus / PubMed)
Confirm the journal is actually indexed in the database you checked (e.g., listed in Web of Science Master Journal List or Scopus Source List). False claims of indexing are common among predatory titles.
6. Confirm the subject category used for quartile calculation
Journals may be listed in multiple categories (e.g., “Biochemistry” and “Molecular Biology”). Check that the quartile you see corresponds to the category relevant to your paper.
7. Check historical metrics and stability
A single high year could bump a journal into Q1 temporarily. Look at 3–5 years of metrics (IF, SJR) to determine whether Q1 is consistent or a one-off.
8. Inspect recent issues and citation patterns
Look at recent articles: are they being cited? Are authors from reputable institutions publishing there? Rapid, sustained citation by the field supports a journal’s Q1 claim.
9. Watch for predatory behavior or red flags
Unrealistic promises (guaranteed acceptance), extremely fast peer review, vague editorial board listings, fake ISSNs or indexing claims—these are red flags. A legitimate Q1 journal will have transparent metrics and verifiable indexing.
10. Consult third-party confirmations and university lists
Some universities and national agencies publish approved lists or provide guidance about acceptable journals. If in doubt, ask your supervisor or departmental administrator.
11. Contact the editorial office (if necessary)
If something doesn’t add up, contact the journal editor or publisher with specific questions (e.g., which WoS/Scopus categories they’re listed in and which year their current quartile refers to). Reputable journals respond transparently.
Different ways to check (summary)
Direct database lookups: JCR (Clarivate) and Scimago (SJR/Scopus) are primary.
Publisher and journal website: Useful for ISSN and editorial policies—but not sufficient for quartile claims.
Institutional lists: University or national agency lists that define acceptable journals.
Community resources: Senior colleagues, departmental admins, or bibliometrics offices.
Automated tools: Library discovery services or institutional subscriptions often provide direct links to JCR/SJR entries.
Manual cross-checks: Compare multiple independent sources to be certain.
Q1 Verification Checklist (use this table to verify quickly)
# | Verification Item | How to check (action) | Pass indicator |
1 | Exact journal identity | Confirm official title + ISSN on journal/publisher site and cross-check with WoS/Scopus listings | ISSN matches and database lists same title |
2 | Listed in JCR (Clarivate) | Search Journal Citation Reports for journal → check Impact Factor and Quartile for the relevant category and year | Journal appears and shows Q1 in your category |
3 | Listed in Scimago (SJR) | Search Scimago for journal → note SJR, H-index, quartiles by category and year | Journal appears and shows Q1 in relevant category |
4 | Indexing verified (WoS/Scopus/PubMed) | Check Master Journal List (Clarivate) or Scopus Sources page and PubMed catalog | Indexing entries found and recent |
5 | Correct subject category | Confirm quartile corresponds to the subject area that matches your paper | Quartile applies to your discipline’s category |
6 | Recent stability of metrics | Review IF/SJR for last 3 years | Metrics stable or improving; not a single spike |
7 | Recent article quality & citation patterns | Inspect 6–12 recent articles — citations, author affiliations, topic relevance | Recent articles show citations and reputable authors |
8 | Transparent editorial information | Editorial board, peer review process, contact details present and verifiable | Clear editorial info and functioning contacts |
9 | No predatory indicators | Check for false indexing claims, unrealistic promises, and suspicious APCs | No red flags found |
10 | Institutional acceptance | Confirm with supervisor or university list if Q1 in that index is accepted | University/supervisor confirms acceptability |
Publication assistance in Q1 journals — SITA Academy
Are you looking to publish in a truly Q1 journal? SITA Academy offers end-to-end assistance tailored to your research field and indexing requirements:
Journal recommendation: We suggest Q1 journals that match your scope, goals, and indexing needs (Clarivate JCR / Scimago).
Metric verification: We verify quartile, indexing, and historical metrics so you don’t waste time on misleading claims.
Manuscript preparation: Formatting to journal guidelines, reference style, and figure/table checks.
Submission assistance & follow-up: We help prepare submission files, cover letters, and track communications until final acceptance.
Ethics & compliance checks: Ensure your manuscript meets publisher and institutional policies.
Final tips
Don’t assume a journal’s homepage claim is sufficient—always verify with primary indexing services.
Match the subject category to your paper; quartiles are category-specific.
Stability matters: look beyond a single year’s metrics.
If your institution values a specific database (Clarivate vs. Scopus), prioritize that source.
Verified Contact Channels
If you have any questions, inquiries, or would like to learn more about our services, please don't hesitate to reach out to us. Our dedicated team is ready to assist you.
