Frequently Asked Questions
►TECHNICALCan I save an uncompleted suggestion form?Yes, the suggestion form is automatically saved if you click on any of the buttons: Back / Save draft / Next.How long will the data from an uncompleted suggestion form be available?
After the first save (i.e. clicking on back/save draft/next), the data will be saved for 7 days. Please make sure to submit your partially filled in suggestion form within that timeframe, otherwise you have to start over again. Do all browsers work with the suggestion form?
We recommend that you use the most recent version of your chosen internet browser and ensure you have the latest version of Adobe Flash installed. The current version minus three is typically supported.For example, Internet Explorer is currently version 11, so previous versions 8, 9, and 10 will work just fine. The latest versions of Google Chrome and Mozilla Firefox are also supported. Please note that older versions may cause the form to work incorrectly.What happens with my collected data?Elsevier is committed to maintaining your confidence and trust with respect to the privacy of the personal information we collect from you. Please read this privacy policy carefully to understand our practices about how we collect, use and share your personal information: https://www.elsevier.com/legal/privacy-policy ►GENERAL What is Scopus?
Scopus is the largest abstract and citation database of peer-reviewed literature. It features smart tools to track, analyze and visualize research, delivering a comprehensive overview of the world's research output in the fields of science, technology, medicine, social sciences, and arts and humanities. For more information, please visit https://www.elsevier.com/solutions/scopus.I am not sure if my title is already covered by Scopus. How can I find out?
Please check the Scopus Source List by navigating to the following link to determine whether the title you wish to suggest is already covered by Scopus. Clicking the Show more + button will reveal all Scopus source lists that are freely available for download. The available source lists are updated periodically.
Active Medline-sourced titles (see column M of the Scopus Source List) are included via Medline, but may coverage may not be complete. Medline-source title may be suggested as candidates for full coverage by Scopus using the Title Suggestion page.What is this form used for?
Use this form if you wish to submit your serial publication for evaluation of its suitability for inclusion in Scopus. Please note that submitting your title does not guarantee acceptance.Where can I find more information about Scopus’ Content Policy and Selection?
Please visit our Content Policy and Selection page ►EVALUATIONAre there any costs involved in having a title evaluated for Scopus?
No, suggesting your title for possible coverage by Scopus is free of charge.What are Scopus’ minimum criteria?
o The title should publish peer reviewed content.
o The title should be published on a regular basis (i.e., have an ISSN that has been confirmed by the ISSN International Centre). To register an ISSN, please visit this page.
o The title should have English language abstracts and article titles.
o The title should have a publication ethics and publication malpractice statement.Can I suggest a title for Scopus evaluation even though it does not meet all the minimum criteria?
No, only serial titles that meet the Scopus minimum criteria shown above will be processed by us.My title does not have an ISSN and/or E-ISSN number. How can I request these?
You can request an ISSN and/or E-ISSN through the ISSN International Centre: http://www.issn.org/services/requesting-an-issn/What’s the importance of having a Publication Ethics and Malpractice Statement?
The publication of an article in a peer-reviewed journal is an essential building block in the development of a coherent and respected network of knowledge. It is a direct reflection of the quality of the work of the authors and the institutions that support them.Peer-reviewed articles support and embody the scientific method. It is therefore important to agree upon standards of expected ethical behavior for all parties involved in the act of publishing: the author; the journal editor; the peer reviewer; the publisher and the society of society-owned or sponsored journals must all adhere to these standards.Elsevier has made available a free online resource to support journal editors in handling publishing ethics allegations. Please visit our Publishing Ethics Resource Kit (PERK) page for more useful links and information.My title does not have a (comprehensive) online Publication Ethics and Malpractice Statement. What is considered a valid statement?
Please visit our Publishing Ethics page for a comprehensive overview.Can I suggest serial titles other than journals, like a book series or conference proceedings?
Yes, all serial publications can be suggested for evaluation as long as they meet the Scopus minimum criteria shown above.Who is responsible for the Scopus review procedure?
The independent Scopus Content Selection and Advisory Board (CSAB) is an international group of scientists, researchers and librarians who represent the major scientific disciplines. The board members are responsible for reviewing all titles that are suggested to Scopus.The CSAB is comprised of 17 Subject Chairs, each representing a specific subject field. The Board works with the Scopus team to understand how Scopus is used, what content is relevant for users and what enhancements should be made. The recommendations of the CSAB directly influence the overall direction of Scopus and the prioritization of new content requests to ensure that Scopus content stays international and relevant.How does Scopus deals with conflict of interest for local boards?In making their review comments for journals evaluations for inclusion in Scopus, the members of the local boards avoid conflicts of interest such as those that may derive from their own involvement with local journals. In such cases, the local board members will ensure that they take no part in reviewing the journals for which they might have a conflict of interest.By default, all local journals from relevant regions shall be reviewed by local boards and benefit from all values of the local boards. However, there are cases in which local journals deem it necessary to be reviewed directly by the CSAB, e.g., due to potential conflict of interests. In those cases, please contact [email protected] with your request. How long will the evaluation of my title take?
We strive to evaluate new title suggestions as quickly as possible, however, please allow up to several months for the review process to be completed. ►REVIEW DECISIONS AND OBJECTIONSHow are review decisions for Scopus made?Scopus reviews which journals it wants to include in its commercial product according to its own selection criteria of quality and utility, as they have been developed in collaboration with the independent Content Selection & Advisory Board (CSAB) and the needs of the wider research community.Subject matter experts from the editorially independent CSAB have the responsibility to review individual titles according to the set Scopus quality criteria and make the decision whether a given journal should be included in Scopus. What if a title has been rejected for Scopus inclusion?Review decisions are final and will not be reconsidered until the communicated embargo period has passed and the journal can be submitted for review again.The Scopus team cannot overrule or change the result of the CSAB's decision because the CSAB is independent. Can I (as the publisher of the title) question the review decision?Complaints or objections of review decisions are usually resolved between the publisher and the Scopus team, who will consult with the reviewers of the CSAB if needed.For cases where the decision is still being questioned, an appeal procedure is put in place. Appeals only apply to the question whether the procedure of assessment has been followed correctly (for example the correct criteria have been considered in the assessment, or the reasons for not including the journal have been properly communicated) and not the merits of the review.To invoke the appeals procedure, the publisher of the journal needs to explain carefully in what way one feels the procedure has not been followed correctly in this case. One needs to be sure to understand the difference between procedure and merits of a case.The publisher can submit an appeal case to the Scopus team via [email protected], which should be done within 6 weeks after receiving the rejection letter.By asking for an appeal, the publisher is undertaking to accept the findings of any appeal as final.Appeals are submitted to the independent Appeals Officer for consideration and the Appeals Officer will determine if the appeal is warranted.In case of a valid appeal, the reviewers of the CSAB will be asked to reconsider the review process and decision. However, a valid appeal case does not guarantee that the final decision by the CSAB is changed.