5 Challenges PhD Students Face When Targeting Scopus Journals

The first big challenge is to find a suitable journal that matches the student’s research focus and charges reasonable fees. Many Scopus-indexed journals have high publication fees, which can be a problem for students with limited funding.

To solve this issue, students can use journal finder tools that help match their work to appropriate journals based on the topic and fees. They should also talk to advisors or peers who have experience publishing to get helpful advice. Some journals may offer discounts or waivers, so students should ask about these options.

After finding potential journals, the next step is to check their metrics, which help determine if the journal is suitable for the student’s research. Metrics like impact factor and citation rates show how respected a journal is. However, understanding these metrics can be complicated.

Students often find it hard to know what makes a journal 'good' for their field. A journal with a high impact factor might not be the best choice if it doesn't focus on the student’s topic. Therefore, it’s important to consider both the metrics and the journal’s relevance to ensure their research gets noticed.

Every journal has specific formatting and submission guidelines that must be followed. This includes how to structure the manuscript, citation styles, and formatting figures. PhD students may struggle to meet these requirements, which can lead to rejection.

To avoid this, students should carefully read the author guidelines of the journal before submitting their work. Making a checklist of the required elements can help ensure everything is correct. Getting feedback from colleagues or mentors can also improve the manuscript’s quality.

The submission process often requires extra materials, such as cover letters, ethical approval statements, and supplementary data. PhD students may feel overwhelmed by these requirements, especially if they are unsure what is needed.

To handle this better, students should read the submission requirements carefully. Preparing these materials in advance can help speed up the process. It’s also useful to look at examples of good cover letters and ethical statements to guide their own writing.

Once the manuscript is submitted, the process doesn't end. PhD students need to follow up with the journal to check the status of their submission. This includes communicating with the editorial office about revisions or the review timeline. Understanding and responding to required revisions is crucial for keeping the publication process moving.

However, communicating with journals can be intimidating for students, especially if they lack experience. To overcome this, students can seek advice on how to communicate effectively with journal editors and create a timeline for follow-ups. Being polite and professional in these communications is important.