Tips for publishing in SCI-SSCI

Tips for publishing in SCI-SSCI

  1. INTRODUCTION

In the academic world, the value of a research and its visibility in the scientific community is measured not only by the content of the study but also by the international recognition of the journal in which it is published. Science Citation Index (SCI) and Social Sciences Citation Index (SSCI) are among the most prestigious indexes in this sense (Karasar, 2020). While SCI covers fields such as science, engineering and medicine, SSCI includes social sciences such as sociology, psychology, education, business, economics and communication (Day & Gastel, 2012).

Both indexes are included in the Web of Science platform managed by Clarivate Analytics (formerly Thomson Reuters) and measure scientific impact by providing citation analysis of academic publications. Articles published in these indexes are of great importance in the academic promotion and evaluation criteria of most universities and research institutions (Creswell, 2018). Therefore, publishing articles in SCI-SSCI journals is a critical step for a researcher to gain international recognition and reputation.

In this comprehensive guide, you will find detailed information, strategies and ample examples on all stages of publishing in SCI-SSCI. The text covers a wide range of topics from research topic selection to peer review processes, from journal selection methods to citation management from a holistic perspective. In addition, common mistakes in academic writing, solutions and practical tips are also included in this text.

  1. BASIC CHARACTERISTICS OF SCI AND SSCI

2.1. Historical Development

  • Emergence of SCI
  • SCI was introduced to the world of science in the 1960s when Eugene Garfield realized the idea of a citation index (Garfield, 1979). Initially focusing on basic sciences such as science, chemistry, physics and medicine, this index has expanded over time to include other disciplines.
  • Establishment of SSCI
  • As a result of the need for citation analysis in the field of social sciences, the Social Sciences Citation Index (SSCI) was launched. This index, which includes a wide range of disciplines such as psychology, sociology, political science, business administration and education, is especially important in terms of making the academic outputs of social scientists visible (Creswell, 2018).

2.2. Scope and Disciplines

  • SCI: Includes hundreds of journals from fields such as chemistry, biology, medicine, engineering, materials science and physics. “SCI-Expanded” offers an even more expanded list, covering more journals from similar fields.
  • SSCI: Includes every sub-discipline of social sciences (economics, business, finance, education, psychology, sociology, anthropology, etc.).
  • Other Indexes: Arts & Humanities Citation Index (AHCI) covers the humanities and Emerging Sources Citation Index (ESCI) covers new and emerging journals (Day & Gastel, 2012).

2.3. Why are SCI-SSCI Publications Important?

  1. Citation Rate and Recognition
  2. Articles published in SCI-SSCI are read and cited more by researchers around the world. This is realized through the high visibility of the article (Karasar, 2020).
  3. Academic Promotion and Career
  4. Especially in universities and research institutions, SCI-SSCI publications play a major role in academic promotions, project applications and performance evaluations.
  5. Funding and Project Supports
  6. Project evaluation committees frequently look at authors’ SCI-SSCI publications to assess research skills and scientific impact (Creswell, 2018).
  1. SELECTION OF THE RESEARCH TOPIC AND LITERATURE REVIEW

3.1. Identifying an Original Topic

The basic premise of a scientific study is the existence of an original research question or hypothesis. In particular, SCI-SSCI journals do not favor studies whose contribution to the literature is unclear or repetitive (Booth, Colomb & Williams, 2008). Therefore, the researcher should focus on the following points when choosing his/her topic:

  • Identifying the gap or controversial area in the literature.
  • Identification of issues that are poorly explained theoretically, incomplete in practice or emerging with new technological and social developments.
  • Interdisciplinary perspective (e.g. biotechnology and ethics, artificial intelligence and sociology).

3.2. Comprehensive Literature Review

After choosing a research topic, it is essential to conduct a comprehensive literature review. Databases such asWeb of Science, Scopus, Google Scholar are important tools at this stage (Karasar, 2020). Steps to be followed in the review:

  1. Identifying Keywords: For example, “organizational commitment,” “job satisfaction,” “transformational leadership,” “machine learning,” “renewable energy,” etc.
  2. Balance of Old and New Sources: Links should be made between classic studies and current research.
  3. Recording of Sources: The use of reference management software (Zotero, Mendeley, EndNote, etc.) prevents loss and facilitates bibliography organization.

3.3. Searching for Gaps in the Literature

Many journals seek a clear answer to the question “What does this study contribute to the literature? ” (Day & Gastel, 2012). Therefore, it is important to conduct the literature review with the following in mind:

  • Which theoretical explanations are insufficient?
  • Which methods have yielded incomplete results on which problems?
  • Which geographical regions or demographic groups have not yet been studied?

Formulating a “research problem” by clarifying these questions is one of the most critical steps in attracting the attention of SCI-SSCI journals.

  1. RESEARCH DESIGN: CHOICE OF METHOD AND METHODOLOGY

4.1. Research Design

  1. Quantitative Method (Quantitative)
    • Experimental design
    • Cross-sectional or longitudinal surveys
    • Statistical analysis such as regression, ANOVA, structural equation modeling (SEM)
  2. Qualitative Method (Qualitative)
    • Case study
    • In-depth interviews
    • Focus groups, content analysis
  3. Mixed Methods
    • Providing a more comprehensive analysis by combining both quantitative and qualitative data (Creswell, 2018).

4.2. Measurement Tools and Data Collection

SCI-SSCI journals attach great importance to the explicit reporting of validity and reliability analyses of data collection tools (Karasar, 2020). In this context:

  • Literature basis for the selected scales (e.g. Cronbach’s Alpha coefficient, test-retest reliability)
  • Adequacy of the number of subjects or participants (e.g. sample calculation software such as G*Power)
  • Ethical approval procedures during data collection (e.g. institutional ethics committee approval)

4.3. Data Analysis Strategies

  • Quantitative Analysis: Descriptive statistics, correlation, regression, ANOVA, MANOVA, parameter estimation, structural equation modeling, etc.
  • Qualitative Analysis: Content analysis, thematic analysis, descriptive analysis or inductive-deductive approaches. The coding and theme development process should be detailed (Day & Gastel, 2012).
  • Software Tools: Programs such as SPSS, R, Python, NVivo, MAXQDA, etc. standardize analyses and facilitate reporting.

At this stage, the compatibility of the analysis techniques with the chosen research question is decisive for the reviewers to have a positive opinion about the study (Booth et al., 2008).

  1. ARTICLE WRITING PROCESS

5.1. Article Structure

5.1.1. Title

  • Short, concise and punchy
  • Reflect the core content of the article
  • Sub-headings can be added when necessary (Karasar, 2020)

Example: “Predicting Employee Turnover: The Mediating Role of Job Satisfaction in Remote Work Settings”

5.1.2. Abstract

  • Usually between 150-300 words
  • Summarize the purpose, method, findings and conclusions of the research
  • The original contribution should be emphasized in one sentence (Creswell, 2018)

5.1.3. Keywords

  • 4-6 keywords are usually enough
  • Makes the article easier to index and find
  • Concepts directly related to the topic should be selected

5.1.4. Introduction

  • Introduction to the subject by stating the missing or contradictions in the literature
  • The theoretical framework is lightly touched upon
  • The research question or hypotheses are clearly stated

5.1.5. Theoretical Framework / Literature Review

  • More comprehensive theory and hypothesis development section
  • Defining the main concepts and establishing relationships
  • Critical appraisal of existing studies (Booth et al., 2008)

5.1.6. Methodology

  • How the sample or study group was selected
  • Measurement tools and data collection process
  • Analysis methods and software tools

5.1.7. Findings (Findings / Results)

  • The results obtained are presented in tables, graphs, diagrams, etc.
  • Statistical results (p-values, effect size, confidence intervals) are reported
  • Qualitative analysis uses codes, themes and sample quotations

5.1.8. Discussion

  • Explain the relationship of the findings with the literature and theoretical framework
  • Possible contradictions or supported hypotheses are examined
  • Limitations of the study and suggestions for future research (Day & Gastel, 2012)

5.1.9. Conclusion

  • Clearly summarizes the overall contribution of the study
  • Practical implications, policy or management recommendations can be mentioned
  • Concludes the article by emphasizing the main message

5.1.10. References

  • It should be organized in the format required by the journal (APA, Harvard, Chicago, etc.)
  • Must match in-text citations exactly
  • A complete list of current and relevant resources should be prepared

5.2. Language, Style and Spelling Rules

  • A formal and academic tone should be used, but overly complex sentences should be avoided.
  • English Proofreading: If English is not the native language, it will be useful to utilize proofreading and language editing services (Karasar, 2020).
  • Spelling Errors and Layout: Tables, graphs and figures should be properly numbered and cited in the relevant text.

5.3. Common Errors and Solution Suggestions

  • Vague Hypotheses: It should be clearly stated what the hypotheses will test. Otherwise, reviewers may find the purpose of the study unclear.
  • Missing Method Details: For reproducibility (replication), it is important that the methodology is sufficiently detailed.
  • Inappropriate References: Ignoring current literature or citing only oneself creates a negative impression (Creswell, 2018).
  • Plagiarism and Citation Issues: All citations must be properly attributed and plagiarism scanned (Turnitin, iThenticate, etc.).
  1. JOURNAL SELECTION AND STRATEGIES

6.1. SCI or SSCI?

  • Science and Applied Sciences: Journals in SCI in fields such as chemistry, biology, engineering, medicine, etc. are preferred.
  • Social Sciences: Journals in SSCI are targeted in fields such as psychology, sociology, business administration, economics, international relations, etc.
  • Intersection Areas: For example, health communication or neuroeconomics are interdisciplinary studies that can be included in both SCI and SSCI (Day & Gastel, 2012).

6.2. Journal Impact Factor, CiteScore and Other Metrics

  • Impact Factor (IF): Calculated by Clarivate Analytics, it shows the average number of citations of the journal’s articles over the last two years.
  • CiteScore: Based on the Scopus database, it measures citation performance using similar logic.
  • H-Index: Reflects the overall impact level of the journal and authors (Creswell, 2018).

Instead of focusing only on IF, factors such as the scope of the journal, its target audience, editorial policies and average refereeing time should also be taken into consideration when determining the publication strategy (Karasar, 2020).

6.3. Journal Discovery Methods

  1. Web of Science Master Journal List
    • You can search by subject or journal name, and filter the scope of the index.
  2. BİDAM (Scientific Indexed Journal Search Engine)
    • This search engine, developed especially in Turkey, lists journals indexed in SCI, SSCI, SCI-Expanded, ESCI, etc.
  3. Scopus
    • It offers an overview as another database.
  4. Counselor and Colleague Recommendations
    • Consulting the experience of professors who are experts in the field can provide quick guidance (Booth et al., 2008).

6.4. Points to Consider When Choosing a Journal

  • Journal Scope: The topic and methodological approach of your work should match the scope of the journal.
  • Referee Period: Some journals may take 6 months, some may take 1 year or more.
  • Acceptance Rate: In very prestigious journals, the rejection rate can be 80-90% (Day & Gastel, 2012).
  • Fees (APC): Be sure to review open access or Article Processing Charge policies.
  1. ARTICLE SUBMISSION AND REVIEW PROCESS

7.1. Preparing a Cover Letter

A short letter to the editor explaining why the article should be published in this journal. What it should contain

  • To briefly summarize the originality of the research
  • Reasons for matching the scope of the journal
  • Differences with previous similar studies (Creswell, 2018)

A sample start:

*”Dear Editor,

We respectfully submit our study titled ‘The Impacts of Transformational Leadership on Organizational Commitment: A Meta-Analytical Review’ for your review. This research evaluates 45 studies published in the last ten years with meta-analytic methods and reveals the effect of transformational leadership style on organizational commitment in a quantitative framework… “*

7.2. Online Submission

Many SCI-SSCI journals receive articles via platforms such as ScholarOne or Editorial Manager. Here you can find

  • Author information, institution information
  • Article file (anonymous version)
  • Table and figure attachments
  • Ethical approval and copyright forms

such documents must be uploaded in full. Otherwise, the editor may decide to “desk reject” the submission without reviewing it (Karasar, 2020).

7.3. Types of Peer Review

  • Double-Blind Refereeing: The author and the referee do not see each other’s identity.
  • Single-Blind Refereeing (Single-Blind): The referee can see the author’s identity, but the author cannot see the referee’s identity.
  • Open Review: Both author and reviewer identities are clear (Day & Gastel, 2012).

Most SCI-SSCI journals apply a double-blind review system for objectivity.

7.4. Referee Evaluation Process

  1. Desk Review: The editor checks whether the submitted manuscript meets the journal’s scope and basic quality criteria.
  2. Referee Appointment: Usually two or three reviewers are appointed. Referees with relevant expertise are selected.
  3. Referee Report: Referees review the article and recommend revision, acceptance or rejection (Booth et al., 2008).

Referee reports often end up in the following categories:

  • Minor Revision
  • Major Revision
  • Rejection
  • Acceptance
  1. REVISIONS AND REFUSALS

8.1. Revision (Minor and Major) Management

  • Responding to Referee Comments One by One: Approach each comment in a detailed, respectful and solution-oriented manner.
  • Marking Changes: In the revised text, annotations or colored highlights should indicate which changes were made in which section.
  • Time Management: There may be a strict deadline for revision (e.g. 4 weeks). It is necessary to complete edits within a reasonable time (Creswell, 2018).

Sample revision response:

“Reviewer 1 Comment: ‘You need to report more comprehensively on the validity of the data from the scales.’

Response: On page 7, in the Methodology section, we have included detailed validity and reliability analyses (CVR, CVI and Cronbach’s Alpha). Table 2 contains the results of this analysis…”

8.2. Strategies after Rejection

A manuscript can be rejected; this does not necessarily mean that the work is of poor quality. The main reasons for rejection can be the following (Day & Gastel, 2012):

  • Failure to comply with the journal’s scope.
  • Significant methodological flaws or insufficient data.
  • Lack of originality of the article.

You can make corrections to the rejected manuscript and submit it to another journal. At this point:

  1. Correct the deficiencies in line with the referee comments.
  2. Adapt to the scope and format rules of the new journal.
  3. In the cover letter, you can briefly state what you have learned from the previous experience (Karasar, 2020).

8.3. Resubmission

Some journals indicate that they can consider major revisions or corrections after a rejection decision. You can also resubmit your paper to the same journal if the editor has clearly marked the “resubmit” option. However, in this case it is very important to fully satisfy the reviewers’ previous criticisms (Booth et al., 2008).

  1. ACCEPTANCE AND POST-PUBLICATION STEPS

9.1. After Article Acceptance (Proofreading and Typesetting)

After the manuscript is accepted, the following stages begin:

  1. Proofreading: Errors in spelling, punctuation, table or figure numbering are corrected.
  2. Typesetting: The manuscript is made in accordance with the journal’s print format.
  3. Author’s Final Check: The author should review the final “proof” version and report minor errors (Day & Gastel, 2012).

Major content changes are usually not allowed at this stage.

9.2. Copyright and Open Access

  • Copyright Agreement: The journal can take over the copyright or publication rights of the article or share them with the author.
  • Open Access Option: Some journals make the article publicly accessible by charging an article processing fee (APC). This can increase the visibility of the article and the likelihood of citation (Karasar, 2020).

9.3. Dissemination of the Article

  • Academic Social Networks: Sharing a study abstract or link on platforms such as ResearchGate, Academia.edu can increase the number of citations.
  • Conference Presentations: You can support scientific communication by sharing the findings of the article through oral or poster presentations.
  • Personal Web Page: You can give short introductions and links to your article on your personal website or corporate page (Creswell, 2018).
  1. CITATION AND ACADEMIC REPUTATION MANAGEMENT

10.1. Citation and H-Index

  • Citation: When other researchers refer to the findings or theoretical framework in your publication.
  • H-Index (Hirsch Index): A metric based on academics producing a certain number of highly cited publications. For example, if your h-index is 10, each of your at least 10 articles has received at least 10 citations (Hirsch, 2005).

These metrics are frequently used in academic performance evaluation. Studies published in SCI-SSCI journals generally have a higher citation potential (Day & Gastel, 2012).

10.2. Researcher Profiles and Platforms

  • ORCID (Open Researcher and Contributor ID): Identifies authors by unique identification numbers.
  • Google Scholar: Makes it easy to track the number of citations, h-index and i10-index of articles.
  • ResearchGate, Academia.edu: Academic social networks can increase opportunities for citation and collaboration by enabling researchers to interact with each other (Booth et al., 2008).

10.3. Scientific Networks and Collaborations

  • Participating in conferences and symposia related to your field of study enhances potential partnerships.
  • Conducting short-term studies at another institution as a visiting researcher increases access to different data sets and areas of expertise.
  • Being involved in international research projects supports the formation of multi-authored publications in SCI-SSCI (Karasar, 2020).
  1. SAMPLE CASE STUDIES: SCI-SSCI PUBLICATIONS IN DIFFERENT DISCIPLINES

11.1. Medical and Health Sciences (SCI Focused)

  • Topic Example: “Efficacy and Safety of Next Generation mRNA Vaccines: Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis”
  • Journal Preference: High impact factor journals in SCI such as Vaccine, Lancet Infectious Diseases, Nature Medicine.
  • Reviewer Process: Much attention is paid to methodological rigor and reliability of statistical analyses.
  • Key Tips:
    1. Ethical approval and clinical data sharing permissions should be meticulously documented.
    2. Even minor methodological flaws in revision processes can lead to serious objections.

11.2. Engineering and Technology (SCI Focused)

  • Topic Example: “Security Protocols in Artificial Intelligence-Enabled Internet of Things Systems: A New Hybrid Encryption Method”
  • Journal Preference: SCI journals such as IEEE Transactions on Industrial Informatics, Computers & Security.
  • Reviewer Process: Reviewers may request additional experiments demonstrating the performance of the algorithm.
  • Key Tips:
    1. Providing source code or pseudo-code strengthens reproducibility.
    2. In comparison tables, highlight metrics such as success, speed, memory usage, etc. of your method and competitors’ methods (Day & Gastel, 2012).

11.3. Social Sciences (SSCI Focused)

  • Topic Example: “The Relationship Between Psychological Contract Violations and Employee Productivity in Remote Work: The Case of Turkey”
  • Journal Preference: Journal of Vocational Behavior, Human Resource Management, Organizational Behavior and Human Decision Processes (SSCI).
  • Referee Process: Special attention is paid to the theoretical framework in the social sciences and the literature on which hypotheses are based.
  • Key Tips:
    1. Drawing attention to cultural differences (such as the case of Turkey) may increase the chances of acceptance.
    2. Experimental or mixed-method designs may attract more interest than uniform survey studies (Creswell, 2018).

11.4. Educational Sciences (SSCI Focused)

  • Subject Example: “The Effect of Digital Literacy Skills on Mathematics Achievement of Secondary School Students: A Mixed Method Research”
  • Journal Preference: Computers & Education, British Journal of Educational Technology (SSCI).
  • Referee Process: Seek integration with the literature on educational policy, school administration, and educational psychology.
  • Key Tips:
    1. Include examples of digital materials or platforms used in the research.
    2. Report the validity and reliability analysis of the data (e.g. item analysis, pilot study) in detail (Karasar, 2020).
  1. COMMON QUESTIONS AND SOLUTIONS

12.1. Long referee periods

In some journals, the review process can take 8-12 months. This is a disadvantage for those with urgent publication needs.

Solution:

  • Search for the journal’s previous referee time reports and author comments.
  • You can briefly state your urgency in the cover letter, but there is no guarantee that editors will accept this request (Booth et al., 2008).

12.2. High Rejection Rates

In prestigious journals, the rejection rate sometimes exceeds 80%. This does not always indicate that the paper is of low quality; it may be related to the number of submissions, editorial preference or scope.

Solution:

  • After analyzing the reasons for rejection in detail, move on to other journals with appropriate changes.
  • Alternatively, applying the referee comments carefully in case the journal calls for “resubmit” (Karasar, 2020).

12.3. Plagiarism Accusations

Plagiarism is a very serious ethical violation in the academic community. It is also considered self-plagiarism when an author uses his/her own previous texts without citing the source.

Solution:

  • Use original wording as much as possible.
  • Give the correct citation for each cited text.
  • Check the manuscript in a plagiarism detection tool such as iThenticate or Turnitin before submission (Day & Gastel, 2012).

12.4. Data Access and Sharing

Many journals support transparent sharing of research data. However, this may not always be possible due to confidentiality, institutional constraints or personal data protection laws.

Solution:

  • Explain data restrictions in the cover letter or Methods section.
  • Consider uploading anonymized data sets to platforms such as GitHub, OSF (Open Science Framework) (Creswell, 2018).
  1. FUTURE PERSPECTIVES: DIGITAL PUBLISHING AND NEW POSSIBILITIES

13.1. Open Access and Open Science

In recent years, open access policies have become increasingly widespread. Some funding agencies and universities may require publications from projects to be made available as open access (Karasar, 2020). Although this approach enables rapid dissemination of information and increased citation opportunities, it can also create additional costs (APC) for authors.

13.2. Digital Journals and Rapid Publication

Some journals publish articles early in the digital environment as Online First or Early View, in addition to the traditional print issues. This speeds up the citation of the article (Booth et al., 2008).

13.3. New Metrics: Altmetrics and Social Network Analysis

‘Altmetrics’, which show how widely an article is shared on social media, news sites, blogs and other digital platforms, are used to measure the wider dissemination of academic impact (Day & Gastel, 2012). This offers opportunities for rapid visibility, especially for research on popular topics.

13.4. Interdisciplinary Studies

The importance of interdisciplinary research in solving complex social and scientific problems is increasing. Therefore, publications in intersectional areas such as neuroeconomics, bioethics, artificial intelligence law are increasingly appearing in SCI-SSCI (Creswell, 2018). Researchers can realize more comprehensive projects by developing collaborations from different disciplines.

  1. CONCLUSION: TIPS FOR A SUCCESSFUL SCI-SSCI PUBLICATION
  1. Choose an Original and Valuable Topic
    • Identify missing and controversial points in the literature.
    • Clarify the theoretical and/or practical contribution of your work.
  2. Conduct a Systematic Literature Review
    • Balance old and new sources.
    • Streamline the process by using reference management software.
  3. Build a Strong Methodological Infrastructure
    • Plan the sample size, data collection tool and analysis method meticulously.
    • Identify deficiencies early by conducting a pilot study if necessary.
  4. Follow Academic Writing Rules
    • Prefer a clear, consistent and understandable style.
    • Follow the journal guidelines (especially the stylistic rules) carefully.
  5. Make Strategic Journal Selection
    • Don’t just focus on impact factor, but also consider journal scope and reviewer time.
    • Use the advice of advisors and peers.
  6. Take Reviewer Comments Seriously
    • Respond respectfully and constructively to all criticism, whether the revision is minor or major.
    • If you receive a rejection, consider the comments and resubmit the article to another journal or to the same journal in revised form.
  7. Post-Publication Citation Management
    • Increase the visibility of the article by sharing it on academic networks and social media.
    • Participate in conferences to present your results and establish new collaborations.
  8. Ethics and Transparency
    • Avoid plagiarism and cite all data and sources correctly.
    • Ensure the reproducibility of the research by sharing data sets if possible (Creswell, 2018).

Researchers who fulfill these steps diligently will significantly increase their chances of publishing in SCI-SSCI journals. Remember that a successful article is not only the product of qualified research, but also the result of a holistic study supported by the right choice of journal, proper writing and effective presentation.

  1. BIBLIOGRAPHY (SAMPLE REFERENCES)
  1. Booth, W. C., Colomb, G. G., & Williams, J. M. (2008). The craft of research (3rd ed.). University of Chicago Press.
  2. Creswell, J. W. (2018). Research design: Qualitative, quantitative, and mixed methods approaches (5th ed.). SAGE Publications.
  3. Day, R. A., & Gastel, B. (2012). How to write and publish a scientific paper (7th ed.). Cambridge University Press.
  4. Garfield, E. (1979). Citation indexing: Its theory and application in science, technology, and humanities. John Wiley & Sons.
  5. Hirsch, J. E. (2005). An index to quantify an individual’s scientific research output. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, 102(46), 16569-16572.
  6. Karasar, N. (2020). Scientific research method (35th edition). Nobel Academic Publishing.

 

by wporganizasyon Uncategorized