Before searching for journals, it is important to understand a common misunderstanding about Q1 and Q2 rankings. These quartiles are not based on journal name, prestige, or publisher, but on a metric called CiteScore, which is calculated by Scopus. CiteScore measures the average number of citations per article over a three-year period. Journals are then ranked within their subject areas and divided into quartiles: Q1 represents the top 25% (75th percentile and above), Q2 covers 50–74%, Q3 covers 25–49%, and Q4 is below 25%.
A key point is that quartile rankings can vary across disciplines. The same CiteScore may place a journal in Q1 in one field but only Q2 or Q3 in another because journals are compared only within the same subject category. For this reason, when institutions require Q1 or Q2 journals, it is important to always check the specific Scopus subject area rather than assuming a fixed ranking.
Another common confusion comes from Scimago. Although it is widely used because it is free and easy to access, Scimago does not use exactly the same system as Scopus. This can lead to differences where a journal appears as Q2 in Scopus but Q3 or Q4 in Scimago, or the opposite. Scimago data may also be slightly outdated. Therefore, Scopus is the most reliable source for official quartile classification.
Q1–Q2 journals can generally be grouped into three types. The first type includes high-impact journals from major publishers such as Elsevier, Springer, Wiley, Taylor & Francis, and Oxford. These journals require highly original research, strong academic writing, and often 80–200 references. The review process is strict and can take 6–24 months, with very low acceptance rates (often below 10%).
The second type includes open-access journals such as MDPI and Frontiers. These journals usually have faster review times (around 2–3 months) and accept solid empirical research without requiring highly groundbreaking results. Authors typically pay an article processing charge of around $1,000–$3,000. These journals are commonly used by PhD students and early-career researchers who need faster publication.
The third type includes university or academic society journals. These are often highly specialized and publish fewer articles per year. They may still be highly ranked in specific fields but often have longer review times and may favor established academic networks. Some also have long publication queues.
When choosing a journal, it is usually better to start with Q2 unless the research is highly innovative. Q2 journals have higher acceptance rates and more realistic requirements for standard empirical studies. A good Q2 publication is often more practical than a rejected Q1 submission after a long waiting period.
It is also important to match your paper with the journal’s aims and scope, not just keywords. Checking recent published articles helps confirm whether your methodology and depth are appropriate. In addition, do not rely only on the timelines shown on journal websites. A better approach is to check recent articles and calculate the real time between submission and publication.
Finally, an advanced strategy is to look for journals whose CiteScore is rising but not yet fully updated in their quartile ranking. Submitting during this transition period may reduce competition and increase your chance of acceptance.
