Chapter 66: Chapter 63 Journal Selection (6th Update, Promise Fulfilled, Seeking First Subscription!!!)
"A paper, huh?"
In the office, upon hearing Tian Liangwei’s inquiry, a rare hint of hesitation appeared on Xu Yun’s face.
After a brief silence, he finally decided to speak the truth:
"Professor, if there’s an opportunity, I’d like to publish in a Q1 journal."
"Q1, huh..."
Tian Liangwei tapped his forefinger rhythmically on the desk, not particularly surprised, and pondered:
"Xiaoxu, you should know that Imidacloprid, as a neonicotinoid insecticide, has its own substance name, although its patent already expired in 2011.
So if you want to publish a paper in a Q1 journal, the fourth generation is definitely not enough; the fifth generation is the basic requirement. Is that okay?"
Xu Yun lightly nodded, indicating his understanding.
When it comes to papers, most people immediately think of SCI and Nature.
But actually, the former and the latter are not concepts of the same category.
SCI, many people might mistakenly think it’s the abbreviation for Science magazine, but this is actually wrong!
SCI stands for Science Citation Index, which is a journal directory index operated by Clarivate Analytics, not a standalone magazine.
If a journal is included in this index, it indicates a certain quality; you can check if a target journal is indexed on this website.
Clarivate Analytics also relies on citation data from journals over the past two years to set an indicator called the impact factor.
Take 1992 as an example to calculate the impact factor for a journal that year:
X = The total number of times papers published in 1990 and 1991 were cited in 1992 for a given journal.
Y = The total volume of papers published in 1990 and 1991 for a given journal.
IF1992 = X (1990, 1991) / Y (1990, 1991).
Clarivate Analytics assigned divisions based on the high and low impact factors across different disciplines, known as the JCR divisions.
Journals ranking in the top 25% in their disciplines are categorized as Q1, 26~50% as Q2, and so forth.
Besides Clarivate Analytics, the Chinese Academy of Sciences also categorized journals, with its full name being the Huaxia Academy of Sciences Literature and Information Center Journal Partition Table, dividing journals into four categories as well.
But their approach is pyramid-like, with the top 5% of journals in Q1, 6%~20% in Q2, 21% to 50% in Q3, and the rest in Q4.
The categorization by the Chinese Academy of Sciences mainly considers impact factors but does have some human adjustments.
To make a vivid analogy:
Publishing an SCI can be likened to climbing a mountain. There are many mountains, some tall, some low.
The mountain at your doorstep is a mountain, a small hill is a mountain, the Five Peaks are mountains, the Himalayas are also mountains.
SCI journals have numerous divisions, corresponding to different mountains; whether publishing an SCI is difficult largely depends on which mountain you aim to climb.
Q3, Q4 SCI journals are akin to mountains that are hard to climb in small counties or prefecture-level cities; Q2 are regional famous mountains; Q1 are the Five Peaks, imposing and grand.
As for Nature sub-journals, they’re roughly akin to climbing the Himalayas, whereas Nature, Cell, and Science are undoubtedly the Everest, also called CNS.
The above explains the detailed relationships between papers. Once again, more useless knowledge added. JPG.
Currently in China, most people use the division by the Chinese Academy of Sciences, although many only come into contact with top Q3 or at most Q2.
Additionally, when talking about papers, one cannot avoid another topic:
The price of ghostwriting papers.
Those frequently on Weibo witnessing gossip know that two major things happened in the paper world these recent years:
One is the exposure of massive local SCI fraud, the other is that following an incident involving a certain Zhai actor, plagiarism checks became more stringent, forcing some graduate students to publish SCI to avoid repeating themselves and their papers.
Moreover, with escalating research competition, the difficulty of publishing papers has increased, consequently boosting SCI paper prices.
Currently, ghostwriting domestic core journal papers costs around 8k; trash SCI scoring 1 or under 1 costs 30k+; 2 points around 60k+; above 3 points exceeds 100k.
As for above 5 points, a minimum of 200k!
Hence why some people are said to run paper companies; they indeed make money....
Returning focus to the present.
After understanding Xu Yun’s goal or resolve, Tian Liangwei earnestly offered advice:
"Xiaoxu, if you intend to submit to a Q1 journal, first clarify one point — that the main journals of Cell and Nature are clearly off limits. No objections, right?"
Xu Yun nodded, accepting:
"Understood, the academic value of Fifth Generation Imidacloprid is considerably lower than its commercial value; I’ve known this from the start."
Upon hearing this, a satisfied expression appeared on Tian Liangwei’s face. It’s crucial in academia to have a clear self-positioning:
"In that case, let me recommend some journals to you: Nucleic Acids Research, Trends in Biochemical Sciences, EMBO Journal, or Current Biology."
With pen in hand, Xu Yun listened and noted down while his professor spoke, drawing a line through EMBO Journal after the professor finished:
"Let’s skip EMBO Journal; although it’s an established journal, it primarily focuses on the DNA field, which somewhat misaligns with proteins..."
Tian Liangwei remained silent; his was merely a suggestion, with the final choice for Xu Yun to make.
Next, Xu Yun crossed out Trends in Biochemical Sciences:
"Trends in Biochemical Sciences is quite good..... But its review cycle is too long, and professor, I remember its editor mentioned something rather unfavorable last year?"
Tian Liangwei was startled at first, then slapped his forehead, frustrated:
"My memory, how could I forget that? Quickly remove it, remove it; if we submit to this journal, our book might be 404 on the first day of listing!"
Upon hearing this, Xu Yun couldn’t help but sigh softly.
In recent years, due to well-known reasons, some academic journals have gradually adopted certain biased perspectives, the entire international academic environment becoming somewhat oppressive, with various local-targeted remarks or conspiracies emerging one after another.
Why do some journals involve themselves in these matters instead of focusing on academia?
Subsequently, Xu Yun brought his thoughts back and focused on the two remaining journals, appearing hesitant:
"Current Biology is indeed a good option; its IF has been consistently rising since 2016, and the review speed is very fast.
As for this Nucleic Acids Research... Professor, if I remember correctly, it seems to be an invitation-only journal?"
Tian Liangwei nodded, stating:
"That’s right, IF13.8, highly authoritative and influential, but mainly supports invitation submissions, publishing only 70+ articles annually.
However, Xiaoxu, if you decide to submit to this journal, I can put in a word for you."
Xu Yun instantly sported a "You actually have overseas connections" expression looking at his professor.
Seeing Xu Yun’s slightly surprised look, Tian Liangwei proudly lifted his chin, tactically sipping his tea:
"What’s so surprising about that? Your professor—my H-index is still 77, you understand the significance of a biomedical professor’s H-factor 77?
Honestly, let me tell you, when visiting abroad, editors must receive me at the airport and accompany me for meals."
After showing off his credentials briefly, Tian Liangwei’s expression returned to normal:
"I know the editors of Nucleic Acids Research and several external reviewers; one is even a top scholar from our Huaxia. Invitation submissions and reviews aren’t a problem."
Upon hearing this, if Xu Yun still didn’t grasp Tian Liangwei’s intention, he might as well stop pursuing academia, given the exceedingly long standard paper review times:
"So, professor, should I prepare the paper according to Nucleic Acids Research’s requirements?"
Tian Liangwei nodded, saying:
"Personally, I suggest you submit to Nucleic Acids Research; after all, it’s always easier when you know people. For now, you can start preparing the relevant fourth generation papers. If you make breakthroughs in the fifth generation, you can directly supplement it in the later sections, saving some effort."
After clarifying the journal matters, Tian Liangwei chatted briefly with Xu Yun, who then sensibly took his leave.
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