Journal Quality Score (JQS) – Evaluation Framework
The Journal Quality Score (JQS) is a structured evaluation system designed to assess the credibility, transparency, and scholarly practices of journals. The score helps researchers, authors, and institutions make informed decisions while selecting journals for publication.
Total Score: 100 Points
Scoring Matrix
| Category | Criteria | Max Score |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Journal Information & Transparency | Clear scope, aims, editorial policies, contact details | 10 |
| 2. Editorial Board Quality | Qualified members, affiliations, diversity, verifiability | 15 |
| 3. Peer Review Process | Transparent review process, review timeline, reviewer guidelines | 15 |
| 4. Publication Ethics | Adherence to ethical standards (plagiarism policy, misconduct handling) | 15 |
| 5. Indexing & Discoverability | Presence in academic databases, search engine visibility | 10 |
| 6. Website Quality & Accessibility | Functional website, accessibility, updated content | 10 |
| 7. Publication Regularity | Consistency in issue publication and timelines | 10 |
| 8. Author Guidelines & Policies | Clear submission guidelines, copyright, open access policy | 5 |
| 9. Article Quality Indicators | Structure, references, DOI availability, formatting standards | 5 |
| 10. Digital Archiving & Preservation | Long-term access (repositories, backups, archives) | 5 |
Score Interpretation
| Score Range | Rating | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| 85 – 100 | Excellent | Highly credible and well-established journal |
| 70 – 84 | Very Good | Reliable journal with strong practices |
| 55 – 69 | Good | Acceptable standards with minor improvements needed |
| 40 – 54 | Fair | Moderate quality; caution advised |
| Below 40 | Low | Limited credibility; not recommended |
Key Features of JQS
- Transparent and criteria-based evaluation system
- Supports informed journal selection for researchers
- Encourages best practices in scholarly publishing
- Helps journals improve quality and visibility
- Regular updates based on latest academic publishing standards
Important Disclaimer:
The Journal Quality Score (JQS) is an internal evaluation metric developed by Root Society for Indexing for informational purposes only. It does not replace recognized indexing databases or established citation metrics.
The Journal Quality Score (JQS) is an internal evaluation metric developed by Root Society for Indexing for informational purposes only. It does not replace recognized indexing databases or established citation metrics.