The Polish ministerial list of journals is an important reference point for researchers who are planning a publication for career development, reporting or strengthening their image in the academic environment. However, the mere fact that a publication is included in this list does not yet mean that it is automatically the best solution for publication. That is why, before submitting a manuscript, it is worth carefully analysing several key aspects of the journal, which we will consider in our material.
How to choose a publication for publishing from the Polish ministerial list?
Check whether the journal is included in the current list
First of all, it is necessary to check the journal in the official list of scientific journals and peer-reviewed materials of international conferences, which is published by the Ministry of Science and Higher Education of Poland. The official page of the ministry contains documents with lists for different years. Among the current published documents, in particular, information about the list of 5 January 2024 is indicated. The new list is being formed according to updated rules, so before submitting an article it is worth checking the latest official announcements of the ministry.
It is important not to limit yourself to information from the websites of intermediaries, universities or old files that may appear online. Before submitting an article, it is necessary to check the official document or the ministry’s page specifically, since the status of the journal, its points or its affiliation with a discipline may change.
Pay attention to the number of points assigned to the journal
In the Polish ministerial list, journals have a certain number of points; we discussed this in more detail in our article. This is important for a researcher, because publication in a journal with a higher number of points may carry greater weight when assessing scientific activity, career growth or participation in grant programmes.
However, it is worth adding that the number of points should not be the only criterion, because a journal with a high score is not always the best option if it does not correspond to the topic of your research. According to the new rules for forming the list, journals from Scopus and Web of Science may be included in the draft list automatically, while assessment within the range of 40-200 points depends on the journal’s position in these rankings.
Check the publication for correspondence with the topic of the research
One of the most important criteria is the correspondence of the journal to the topic of your work. If the research is devoted to pedagogy, it should not be submitted to a journal that formally has a high score but specialises in sociology, management, law and so on.
The Polish rules directly provide that journals are assessed within scientific disciplines. This means that it is important for the author to look not only at the title of the journal and the number of points, but also at which disciplines it is assigned to.
If the journal does not correspond to the topic of the manuscript, the editorial office may reject the article at the initial stage of consideration. In addition, such a publication may have less practical significance for the author’s scientific reputation, even if the journal is included in the list.
Analyse the reputation of the journal
Even if the journal is included in the list, it is necessary to check its reputation. It is worth evaluating the journal’s website, editorial board, publisher, peer review policy, ethical principles, archive of issues, information about payment and the conditions for submitting an article.
Special attention should be paid to journals that promise an overly fast publication, do not explain the peer review procedure, do not have a transparent editorial policy or require payment without a transparent explanation of the stages of article consideration. The new Polish rules emphasise the importance of ethical standards: the Commission for the Evaluation of Science (Komisja Ewaluacji Nauki) may lower the ranking or remove a journal from the list if it uses unfair publication practices.
Do not choose a journal only on the basis of points
A common mistake made by authors is choosing a journal only according to the principle “the more points, the better”. Such an approach may lead to unnecessary loss of time, rejection of the article by the editorial office or its submission to a journal that does not fit the topic.
The number of points is important, but it should be considered together with other criteria: the topic of the journal, indexing databases, review times, publication language, article requirements and chances of acceptance. If the author needs a publication within specific timeframes, for example for reporting, certification and so on, it is necessary to look for a balance between the academic value of the journal and the realism of publication.
The choice of a publication from the Polish ministerial list should be approached strategically. The best option will be a journal that at the same time corresponds to the topic of your research and has an up-to-date status in the list, a sufficient number of points, a transparent editorial policy and so on. Such an approach will help reduce risks, avoid low-quality publications and choose a journal that will contribute to the author’s academic achievements.
Need a publication in a journal from the ministerial list? Contact Scientific Publications. Our specialists will help you form a publication plan and select a reliable journal. We will also support you at all stages of the work until successful publication. To learn more about our service, fill in the form below, and our manager will provide you with a free consultation. Together – towards new scientific achievements
