Scopus Journal Status: How to Check Active and Discontinued Titles

When submitting your research, choosing the right journal is one of the most important decisions you can make.. One of the most widely used resources for identifying credible journals is Scopus, a comprehensive abstract and citation database covering thousands of peer-reviewed journals across disciplines.

However, not all journals listed in Scopus remain active indefinitely. Some titles are discontinued due to publisher changes, quality issues, or other reasons. Submitting your work to a discontinued journal can lead to wasted effort, reduced visibility, and even complications with academic evaluation. Therefore, it is crucial to verify whether a journal is active or discontinued before submission. This step-by-step guide will show you exactly how to do it.

The most reliable way to check a journal’s status is through the official Scopus Source List.

1. Open your browser and go to the Scopus Sources Page.

2. This page contains a searchable database of all journals indexed by Scopus. You can filter by journal title, publisher, subject area, or status.

3. Familiarize yourself with the interface, as it will make your search more efficient.

Once on the Scopus Source List:

1. Type the exact journal name into the search bar. Accuracy matters to avoid confusion with similar journal names.

2. Click the Search button.

3. The system will return a list of journals that match your query. Look carefully at the results to identify the exact journal you are interested in.

Click on the journal title to open its profile. Here you will find essential information:

• Scopus Coverage: Indicates the years the journal has been indexed. For example, “2015–Present” means the journal is still active, while “2010–2018” indicates it has been discontinued.

• Publisher Information: Confirms the official publisher and helps verify legitimacy.

• Subject Area: Shows the fields in which the journal is indexed.

If the journal is active, it continues to publish and index new research. If it is discontinued, it may still exist, but new articles are no longer indexed by Scopus, which affects visibility and citation tracking.

Insert image showing Scopus journal profile

The ISSN (International Standard Serial Number) is a unique identifier for journals. Cross-checking the ISSN ensures you are reviewing the correct journal.

1. Find the ISSN on the journal’s official website (both Print and Electronic ISSNs).

2. Compare it with the ISSN listed on Scopus.

3. This step is essential, especially for journals with similar names, to avoid mistakes in verification.

Conclusion

Verifying whether a journal is active or discontinued in Scopus is a simple yet critical step in the research publication process. Following this step-by-step guide ensures that your research is submitted to a credible, high-impact journal, avoiding potential pitfalls associated with discontinued titles.

By taking a few extra minutes to confirm journal status, you safeguard your work, maintain academic credibility, and increase the chances of your research being recognized and cited by the global academic community.

With this guide and accompanying screenshots, you can confidently check Scopus journal statuses and make informed decisions for your publications.