The 2024 Impact Factor is officially released, which sparks a heated discussion among netizens and brings happiness and worries varying from individual to individual.

1. Changes in Impact Factor

In general, the impact factor continues to show a downward trend in this year and decreases to different extent in many journals, and Nature and Science are no exception, with the impact factor falling to 50.5 and 44.7, respectively. The impact factor of Ca-A Cancer Journal for Clinicians has risen from 254.7 last year to 503.1 this year, becoming the journal with the highest impact factor of the year. By contrast, the impact factor of Cell Research and Molecular Plant decline to 28.1 and 17.1, respectively. 

In the context of general decrement in impact factor, the changes in Chinese journals have aroused great attention. Among them, eScience topped the list of Chinese journals with its first impact factor of 42.9.

First of all, we congratulate eScience for obtaining the first impact factor with such a high score.

But realistically, eScience is still an ESCI or quite literally not yet an SCI.

2. Journals with impact factor may not be SCI.

ESCI can be considered as a candidate for SCI, representing those publications that have not yet officially become SCI journals but have potential. SCI journals with quality declining may be downgraded to ESCI journals.

Before 2023, only SCI journals are eligible for evaluation of impact factors, but since last year, Clarivate has decided to expand the application scope of impact factors. In addition to the original Science Citation Index Extended (SCIE) and Social Science Citation Index (SSCI) journals, the Arts and Humanities Citation Index (AHCI) and Emerging Sources Citation Index (ESCI) journals have also been included in the evaluation system. As a result, over 9000 journals from over 3000 publishing agencies have obtained impact factors for the first time, including ESCI journals.

This evolution may not be well known to all researchers, so much so that many people focus on impact factors and overlook the core issue of whether journals belong to SCI. Actually, beyond impact factor, the classification of a journal is also an important indicator for measuring its academic value and influence.

Then, how can we ensure that our research and submission goes smoothly before submission?

3. Optimization in submission strategies

(1) Research field matching

When selecting the submission journal, its research topic should closely align with your research field, which can accurately show the research results and attract widespread attention and deep citation from scholars in the relevant field.

(2) Reputation of journals

The impact factor is vital, but the reputation and influence of journals should also be underscored. Generally, the top tier journals enjoy a high reputation and praise in the academic community, and are the coveted publishing platform for many scholars.

(3) Types of articles

Journal preferences vary for different types of articles. We need to select the most appropriate journal according to our type of article and thus elevate the success rate of publication.

(4) Submission cycle

Prior to submission, it is necessary to understand the review and publication cycle of the journal, and arrange the submission time reasonably, so as to avoid influencing research progress due to long waiting times and ensure that research results can be published and recognized in a timely manner.

(5) Affiliation of journals

Before submission, which database the journal is included in and whether it is an SCI journal should be confirmed, so as to avoid possible omissions due to the impact factor. This is a pivotal step that is associated with whether research or submission can successfully conducted.