For a lot of PhD scholars, researchers, faculty members in the UK, publishing a paper in Q1 journal is quite a big achievement. However, it is not just a matter of picking a high ranked journal and a well written paper to publish in it.
Even if the study is strong, it might still be rejected due to journal fit, weak positioning, unclear novelty, methodological issues or incomplete submission.
There are other considerations for researchers in the UK, such as open access requirements, UKRI funding and institutional agreements and research assessment policies.
This guide outlines the process for making Q1 journal publications from selection through submission to peer review and UK specific requirements.
What Does a Q1 Indexed Journal Mean?
A Q1 journal is typically the journal in the top 25 per cent of a series of journals of a specific subject category in a specific ranking system.
But Q1 isn't a catch-all designation. A journal can have different rankings depending on the database, subject category and year.
Scopus and Web of Science rank may be found by researchers. For instance, Scopus relies on metrics like CiteScore and Web of Science offers journal rankings via Journal Citation Reports.
Understanding Q1 Journal Quartiles
| Quartile | General Position | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| Q1 | Top 25% | Highest quartile |
| Q2 | 25–50% | Upper-middle group |
| Q3 | 50–75% | Lower-middle group |
| Q4 | 75–100% | Lowest quartile group |
If you're searching for a Scopus Q1 journal, examine its subject category, ISSN and indexing status along with its ranking. Relying on third party “Q1 journal lists” or old screenshots is an inadequate indicator of what is happening.
Journal rankings change from time to time in the Q1, so make sure you check the most up to date information you can before submitting.
Why Q1 Papers Are Often Rejected Before Peer Review?
Not all papers submitted for Q1 will be rejected due to poor research. It's often a matter of fit or position in many cases.
Desk Rejection: Journal Scope Mismatch
Even though your paper is a masterpiece, it might not be a good fit for the journal you've chosen.
Before submitting, check:
- Journal aims and scope
- Recent publications
- Article types
- Research methods commonly used
- Target readership
Ask yourself:
Would the readers of this journal be interested in my research?
When the answer is not apparent, rethink the journal.
Weak Novelty Framing
It's not sufficient to have a gap in the research. The gap needs to be justified and the study needs to add value to it.
Your manuscript should demonstrate the answer to the following questions:
- What is already known?
- What is missing?
- Why does the gap matter?
- What does your research add?
Novelty may be in the form of a new data set, method, theoretical interpretation, population, context or finding.
Methodology That Lacks Depth
The research design and methods should be well explained in Q1 journals.
The reviews may consider:
- Research design
- Sampling
- Sample size
- Data collection
- Statistical analysis
- Validation
- Ethics
- Limitations
In the manuscript review prior to submission, areas we take great care with at ARC include journal fit and manuscript positioning. Even powerful research may require restructuring before it's ready to submit to a Q1 journal.
How to Build a Realistic Q1 Journal Shortlist?
Avoid last minute selection of a journal. Begin with 8-12 ideas for journals and then whittle it down to three possible ideas that you can realistically pursue.
1. Check the Journal Scope
Are there research papers published regularly in the journal that are related to your work?
2. Read Recent Papers
Read 10-20 recent articles and find commonalities to:
- Research topics
- Methods
- Research questions
- Theoretical approaches
- Types of findings
This can provide more information on the journal than the general scope statement.
3. Check the Article Type
Ensure that your manuscript is suitable for the journal, for example:
- Original research
- Review article
- Systematic review
- Case study
- Short communication
- Methodological paper
4. Verify the Ranking
To see a journal's ranking in Scopus, see:
- ISSN
- Database
- Subject category
- Ranking year
- Quartile or percentile
Don't assume anything from a journal's “Q1” badge without checking it!
5. Check Practical Factors
Also consider:
- APC
- Open-access options
- Review process
- Word limits
- Publication frequency
- Data policies
- Ethics requirements
- Institutional agreements
Q1 Journal Shortlist Checklist
| Factor | What to Check |
|---|---|
| Scope | Does my research fit? |
| Recent papers | Is similar research being published? |
| Article type | Does the journal accept my paper type? |
| Ranking | Is the Q1 status current? |
| Audience | Is my research relevant to its readers? |
| APC | Can the cost be covered? |
| Open access | Does it meet my requirements? |
| Timeline | Is the process practical? |
The best journal is not necessarily the most famous one. It is the high-ranking journal where your research has a strong and genuine fit.
Scopus Q1 Journal vs High Impact Journal
Sometimes the phrases “Q1 journal” and “high impact journal” are used interchangeably. They do not.
Q1 refers to a journal's quartile ranking in a subject category and impact factor is a citation based measure.
Therefore, just because a journal has a high impact factor, it is not automatically Q1.
When deciding on a journal, ask yourself:
- Which database does my university recognise?
- Which ranking matters for my requirement?
- Does the journal fit my research?
- Does it meet my funder's open-access requirements?
How to Structure a Q1 Journal Manuscript?
A thesis chapter is not a journal article. It is particularly useful for PhD researchers who are trying to get a thesis work published in a quality Q1 journal.
A useful structure is:
Problem → Gap → Objective → Method → Evidence → Interpretation → Contribution
Introduction
Clearly explain the research problem, existing knowledge, gap and contribution.
Literature Review
Not only summarise previous studies. Link the literature in context, recognize areas of limitation and develop towards your research question.
Methodology
Describe what you did, how you did it and why you selected the method used.
Results
Make sure your presentation is clear and you don't overinterpret.
Discussion
Describe the results and relate them to existing studies.
Conclusion
Focus on the contribution and significance rather than simply repeating the abstract.
| Thesis Chapter | Q1 Journal Article |
|---|---|
| Broad background | Focused problem |
| Extensive literature | Critical synthesis |
| Detailed explanation | Relevant detail |
| Reports findings | Interprets findings |
| Long conclusion | Focused contribution |
This is a common aspect of manuscript style that needs improving prior to submission to Q1 journals.
What Are the Main Q1 Journal Requirements?
You can't specify a list of journal requirements, since there are different requirements for each journal. But the researchers should generally concentrate on:
Strong Research
A well-stated question and relevant research methodology and findings.
Original Contribution
The paper should be a useful contribution to the existing knowledge.
Methodological Rigour
Methods used should be suitable, clear and with reasoning.
Academic Writing
The argument should be clear, logical and understandable to the audience.
Ethical Compliance
If applicable, provide ethics approval, consent, authorship, funding and conflict-of-interest disclosure.
Research Transparency
Data availability statements, supplementary materials or code may be required for some journals.
While meeting these requirements does not imply acceptance to Q1, ignoring them can significantly diminish the chances of submission being accepted to Q1.
UK-Specific Considerations Most Guides Miss?
When researchers are choosing a journal, there are other things that they are going to have to consider in the UK.
UKRI Open Access Requirements
If UKRI funds your research, please consider open access requirements before selecting your journal.
The UKRI policy offers compliant ways to make relevant research articles openly available, such as publishing via an open access route or depositing an appropriate accepted manuscript (with the necessary conditions) in a repository.
So, open access should be thought about during the submission process, rather than when it is accepted.
Transformative Agreements
Some universities have deals with publishers that enable eligible researchers to publish open access without having to pay the entire Article Processing Charge (APC) themselves.
The transitional agreements that Jisc has developed will help to facilitate immediate open access publication, whilst ensuring that access to subscription content will be preserved.
Before submitting, check:
- Whether your university has an agreement
- Whether your target journal is included
- Whether you are eligible
- Whether your article type is covered
- Whether the arrangement meets your funder's requirements
REF Considerations
The Research Excellence Framework (REF) is another aspect of the UK research landscape of importance.
Open access is incorporated into the REF 2029, in respect of relevant research outputs, these include the requirements relating to publication or repository deposit, discoverability, access and licensing.
A particular REF outcome is not guaranteed by having a Q1 status, though. The researchers need to take their own research strategy and requirement into account.
How Much Does Q1 Journal Publication Cost?
There is no standard price for Q1 journal publication.
Some journals impose APCs, others have some other publishing model or subscription-based. The price may differ greatly.
UKRI-funded researchers might be eligible for open-access publication through their research organisation. UKRI advises to discuss funding arrangements at early stage with your organisation.
Before submitting, check:
- APC
- Institutional agreements
- Funder support
- Waivers or discounts
- Open-access options
- Repository routes
High priced journals might be institutional subscribed.
Preparing Your Q1 Journal Submission
Even a good manuscript requires a professional Q1 journal submission.
You will need:
- Manuscript
- Cover letter
- Abstract
- Keywords
- Figures and tables
- Supplementary files
- Funding statement
- Ethics statement
- Conflict-of-interest statement
- Data availability statement
- Author contribution statement
Submission Checklist
- Read the latest author guidelines
- Confirm the article type
- Check the word limit
- Format references correctly
- Check figures and tables
- Add funding and ethics information
- Add required declarations
- Prepare a journal-specific cover letter
- Confirm all authors have approved the paper
- Confirm the manuscript is not under review elsewhere
The cover letter should provide information on the research problem, primary contribution, and the appropriateness of the manuscript for the target journal.
What Happens During Q1 Journal Peer Review?
The Q1 journal acceptance rate is often looked for, but there isn't a universal rate. There are no statistics on official publication and numbers on the Internet may be out of date or unofficial.
Typically, it is the process of:
Submission → Editorial Screening → Peer Review → Revision → Decision → Production → Publication
The editor may evaluate:
- Scope
- Novelty
- Research significance
- Methodology
- Presentation
- Ethical compliance
During the peer review stage, the following may be reviewed on the manuscript: research question, literature, methodology, analysis, results, discussion and contribution.
Keep in mind that it is not a requirement for Q1 journals to be perfect the first time. If the reviewers have helpful suggestions for revision, it can make a huge difference.
How to Respond to Reviewers
Feedback from a reviewer can be challenging to take but also beneficial to improve your paper.
Follow a point-by-point approach:
- Acknowledge the comment.
- Explain what you changed.
- Identify where the change was made.
- Provide evidence if you disagree.
Example
Weak response:
“We disagree because our method is appropriate.”
Better response:
“Thank you for raising this concern. We have added a methodological justification in Section 2.3 and clarified the sampling procedure.”
If you do not agree with a reviewer, be respectful, respect their opinion, and back your opinion with evidence or methodology.
Common Reasons a Research Paper in Q1 Journal Is Rejected
| Reason | What It Means |
|---|---|
| Poor journal fit | Research does not match the journal |
| Weak novelty | Contribution is unclear |
| Methodological concerns | Research design needs stronger justification |
| Weak literature positioning | Research gap is not established |
| Unclear writing | Argument is difficult to follow |
| Unsupported conclusions | Claims go beyond the evidence |
| Submission errors | Required documents are missing |
| Ethical concerns | Required declarations are unclear |
| Weak discussion | Findings are not properly interpreted |
| Poor revision | Reviewer concerns are not fully addressed |
Many of these problems can be identified before submission, which is why preparation matters so much.
How Long Does Q1 Journal Publication Take?
Scopus Q1 journal publication does not have a specific publishing timeline.
The process is dependent on:
- Journal
- Discipline
- Editorial workload
- Reviewer availability
- Number of review rounds
- Required revisions
- Production schedule
The normal course is:
Research → Manuscript → Journal Selection → Submission → Editorial Screening → Peer Review → Revision → Acceptance → Publication
Beware of journals or services that guarantee that a paper will be published in Q1 in a matter of days. Authors should not assume acceptance of their article because of fee payment. Payment of a fee does not guarantee the acceptance of the article by legitimate journals.
How to Avoid Fake Q1 Journal Claims
Beware of statements like:
- “Guaranteed Q1 publication”
- “100% acceptance”
- “Publication in seven days”
- “Guaranteed Scopus acceptance”
- “No rejection”
Always check the journal's:
- ISSN
- Publisher
- Editorial board
- Indexing status
- Peer-review process
- Publication history
- APC information
- Ethics policies
Indicating a Q1 ranking is not an assurance of acceptance of your manuscript, it is a journal ranking.
What Happens After Q1 Journal Acceptance?
The publication process may go through a few steps before getting to the point of acceptance.
Author Proofs
Check the final version for errors.
Publishing Agreement
Follow the necessary copyright or licensing procedure.
Online Publication
The article has been published, usually with a DOI.
Repository Deposit
In some cases, the version that your university or funder requires may be needed to be deposited in a repository.
Indexing
The published article can then be found in databases which are relevant.
If you're a UK researcher, be aware that acceptance and indexing do not always go hand-in-hand.
How ARC Supports Researchers Through Q1 Journal Publication?
If you prefer not to go it alone then it can be more organised with professional support.
Support at ARC can consist of:
- Journal selection
- Q1 journal shortlist development
- Manuscript review
- Academic editing and copyediting
- Journal formatting
- Submission preparation
- Compliance and documentation checks
- DOI-related support
It is not a promise of acceptance for the Journal of Q1. No legitimate service guarantees the editor's/reviewer's decision.
Instead, emphasis is placed on the parts that the researchers can control: fit for journals, quality, clarity of the manuscript, positioning and the readiness for submission.
Practical Q1 Journal Publication Checklist
Research
- Is the research question clear?
- Is there a meaningful research gap?
- Is the contribution clearly explained?
- Is the methodology appropriate?
- Are the findings supported by evidence?
Journal Selection
- Does the journal fit the research?
- Have you read recent papers?
- Is the current Q1 status verified?
- Have you checked the subject category?
- Does the journal meet your institutional requirements?
UK Requirements
- Have you checked UKRI requirements if applicable?
- Have you checked your university's open-access policy?
- Have you checked institutional publishing agreements?
- Have you considered relevant REF requirements?
Submission
- Is the manuscript formatted correctly?
- Is the cover letter tailored?
- Are all declarations included?
- Have all authors approved the final manuscript?
- Is the paper being submitted exclusively to one journal?
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a Q1 indexed journal?
A Q1 indexed journal is typically a journal that falls into thefirst 25% (first quartile) of a particular subject in a ranking system. It should be monitored by the database, category and year.
How do I find a Scopus Q1 journal?
Identify journals where research like yours is published and check their Scopus coverage and subject category and ranking. Do not only use third party lists.
What is the difference between a Q1 journal and a high impact journal?
The first quartile (Q1) is the position of a journal in a subject category. A high impact journal is typically a journal that has high citation performance and/or influence. These two terms are not synonymous.
What are the main Q1 journal requirements?
Typical criteria are research contribution, methodological rigor, academic writing, ethical compliance, research transparency, and journal fit.
What is the Q1 journal acceptance rate?
The acceptance rate for journals varies from year to year and from journal to journal. Some journals have their own statistics, others do not.
How long does Q1 journal publication take?
There is no fixed time frame. The time may vary due to editorial, peer review, revisions, and production.
Final Thoughts
It is not a secret formula to publish in a Q1 Indexed Journal. It's more about doing several key things right simultaneously.
Your research should have a question to answer. You should have a clear contribution for your Q1 journal manuscript. The methodology must be convincing and the journal must be a true match.
Open access requirements, funding by the UKRI and institutional agreements and policies related to the REF can also affect the selection of the journal.
So instead of asking only:
“How can I publish in a Q1 journal?”
ask:
“Which Q1 journal is the right fit for my research, and what do I need to do before submitting?”
A shift in perspective can mean you avoid an unwanted rejection, select a journal more wisely and have more realistic expectations about Q1 journal publications.