Doing Research · 01
Understanding
Journals and Indexes
Read a journal’s publishing information and decide whether it is a suitable home for your research.
Doing Research · Topic 1
認識期刊
與學術索引
閱讀期刊的出版資訊，判斷它是否適合發表你的研究。
Doing Research · 主題一
Doing Research · 02
By the end, you can…
- Read a journal homepage with a clear purpose.
- Verify journal indexing using an official database record.
- Interpret journal metrics and quartiles in context.
- Compare journal fit, costs, timing and submission requirements.
完成本主題後，你可以⋯⋯
- 有目的地閱讀期刊官方網站。
- 利用資料庫的官方紀錄核實期刊收錄情況。
- 結合脈絡理解期刊指標與分區。
- 比較期刊契合度、費用、時間與投稿要求。
Doing Research · 03
Know the journal and its publisher
A publisher may run many journals. Each journal has its own scope and requirements.
| Journal | Publisher | Focus |
|---|---|---|
| Language Testing | Sage | Language assessment research |
| Language Assessment Quarterly | Taylor & Francis / Routledge | Assessment theory and practice |
| Assessing Writing | Elsevier | Writing assessment |
| Language Testing in Asia | Springer Nature | Assessment in Asia and the Asia-Pacific region |
| Language Education & Assessment | Castledown | L2 education and assessment |
Start with the official homepage of the individual journal.
認識期刊與出版社
一家出版社可以出版多本期刊；每本期刊都有自己的範圍與要求。
| 期刊 | 出版社 | 關注領域 |
|---|---|---|
| Language Testing | Sage | 語言評估研究 |
| Language Assessment Quarterly | Taylor & Francis / Routledge | 語言評估理論與實踐 |
| Assessing Writing | Elsevier | 寫作評估 |
| Language Testing in Asia | Springer Nature | 亞洲及亞太地區的語言評估 |
| Language Education & Assessment | Castledown | 第二語言教育與評估 |
從個別期刊的官方網站開始查閱。
Doing Research · 04
Five questions for a journal homepage
| Look for | Ask yourself |
|---|---|
| Aims & scope | Does my research problem, contribution and audience fit? |
| Indexing | Which exact indexes cover this journal? |
| Journal insights / speed | What does the time estimate describe? |
| Open access options | What publishing routes and costs are available? |
| Author guidelines | What format and submission files are required? |
Find evidence for each answer and keep the official page link.
閱讀期刊網站的五個問題
| 查閱項目 | 問自己 |
|---|---|
| 宗旨與範圍 | 研究問題、貢獻與讀者是否契合？ |
| 收錄情況 | 期刊被哪些具名索引收錄？ |
| 期刊數據／審稿速度 | 公布的時間指的是哪個階段？ |
| 開放取用選項 | 有哪些出版模式與費用？ |
| 作者指南 | 需要甚麼格式與投稿文件？ |
為每個答案找出證據，並保存官方頁面連結。
Doing Research · 05
Does your paper fit this journal?
- Aims & scope: connect your question and contribution to the journal’s stated interests.
- Editorial board: examine the editors’ areas of expertise.
- Recent articles: read the last 5–10 papers for relevant topics, methods and contributions.
For a study of AI scoring in speaking assessment, what evidence shows a connection to the journal’s assessment interests?
Explain the fit. A shared keyword alone is weak evidence; a missing keyword does not establish an automatic rejection.
你的論文適合這本期刊嗎？
- 宗旨與範圍：把研究問題與貢獻連結到期刊明確列出的關注。
- 編輯委員會：查閱編輯的專業領域。
- 近期文章：閱讀最近5–10篇文章，了解相關主題、方法與貢獻。
若研究以人工智能評分口語表現，哪些證據能顯示它契合期刊的語言評估定位？
說明契合的理由。共用關鍵詞本身證據不足；範圍中缺少某詞，也不代表一定被直接拒稿。
Doing Research · 06
Web of Science: know the index
| Index | Full name | Coverage |
|---|---|---|
| SSCI | Social Sciences Citation Index | Social sciences, including education and linguistics |
| SCIE | Science Citation Index Expanded | Science disciplines |
| A&HCI | Arts & Humanities Citation Index | Arts and humanities |
| ESCI | Emerging Sources Citation Index | Journals meeting Clarivate’s quality criteria |
All four are part of the Web of Science Core Collection. Coverage is distinct and can change following re-evaluation.
ESCI does not guarantee a later transfer to SSCI or SCIE.
Web of Science：認清索引
| 索引 | 名稱 | 涵蓋範圍 |
|---|---|---|
| SSCI | 社會科學引文索引 | 包括教育、語言學等社會科學 |
| SCIE | 科學引文索引擴展版 | 科學學科 |
| A&HCI | 藝術與人文引文索引 | 藝術及人文學科 |
| ESCI | 新興來源引文索引 | 符合Clarivate質量標準的期刊 |
四者均屬Web of Science核心合集，但收錄範圍不同，且可能隨重新評估而改變。
被ESCI收錄不代表將來一定轉入SSCI或SCIE。
Doing Research · 07
Verify indexing at the source
Scopus is Elsevier’s multidisciplinary abstract and citation database. Scopus coverage does not establish SSCI coverage.
- Find the exact journal title and ISSN.
- Search the Clarivate Master Journal List and Scopus Sources.
- Record the index, coverage status and date checked.
“Indexed in major international databases” is a claim to verify. Check institutional requirements separately.
從官方來源核實收錄
Scopus是Elsevier的跨學科摘要與引文資料庫。被Scopus收錄不代表被SSCI收錄。
- 確認準確的期刊名稱與ISSN。
- 查詢Clarivate Master Journal List及Scopus Sources。
- 記錄索引名稱、收錄狀態及查詢日期。
「被主要國際資料庫收錄」需要核實；另外查閱所屬機構的要求。
Doing Research · 08
JIF and JCI: different measures
Journal Impact Factor
Citations in the metric year to items from the preceding two years, divided by eligible scholarly items published in those two years.
Journal Citation Indicator
Citation impact normalised by subject category, document type and publication year.
Both appear in Journal Citation Reports (JCR). Record the named measure and metric year; keep JIF and JCI rankings distinct.
Having a JIF does not establish SSCI coverage. ESCI journals also receive a JIF.
JIF與JCI：不同的指標
期刊影響因子（JIF）
指標年度對前兩年出版內容的引用次數，除以前兩年出版、符合計算範圍的學術文獻數量。
期刊引文指標（JCI）
依學科類別、文獻類型與出版年份標準化的引文影響指標。
兩者均見於Journal Citation Reports（JCR）。記錄具體指標與年份，區分JIF和JCI排名。
有JIF不代表被SSCI收錄；ESCI期刊也可獲得JIF。
Doing Research · 09
CiteScore: a four-year window
CiteScore uses citations and eligible documents within the same four-year period, based on Scopus data.
- Record the CiteScore year.
- Record the subject category, rank and percentile / quartile.
- Read the official methodology for the document types included.
Compare like with like: CiteScore and JIF use different data and time windows.
CiteScore：四年計算窗口
CiteScore根據Scopus資料，使用同一個四年期間內的引用與符合範圍的文獻。
- 記錄CiteScore年份。
- 記錄學科類別、排名及百分位／分區。
- 參閱官方計算方法，確認納入的文獻類型。
比較時採用同一標準：CiteScore與JIF的資料和時間窗口不同。
Doing Research · 10
“Q1” needs a context
A quartile describes relative position within a specified subject category. Use the provider’s reported quartile, including its handling of ties.
Journal title → metric system → metric year → category → rank / percentile → quartile
A journal can have different quartiles across categories, years and systems. A journal metric alone does not establish manuscript fit.
「Q1」需要交代脈絡
分區表示期刊在指定學科類別中的相對位置。採用資料提供者公布的分區，包括其並列排名處理方式。
期刊名稱 → 指標系統 → 指標年份 → 學科類別 → 排名／百分位 → 分區
同一期刊在不同學科、年份和系統中的分區可能不同；期刊指標本身不能判定論文契合度。
Doing Research · 11
XinRui Journal Ranking (新锐分区)
XinRui Scholar launched this independent journal evaluation system in 2026, with ranking years going back to 2020. It covers sciences, social sciences, and the humanities and arts.
- Find the journal: use its title, ISSN or EISSN through the official search guide.
- Record the year and category: identify the research area or JCR category used in the result.
- Record the reported ranking / partition: keep the journal identity and source link with your notes.
- Check the status: look for an Under Review early-warning flag and check the current record before submission.
Keep XinRui results separate from JCR and Scopus quartiles. Report each system’s own result, year and category.
Doing Research · 12
What will publication cost?
Subscription
Reader access is restricted. Check whether page, colour or other charges apply.
Hybrid
Subscription and open access routes are available. Check the route you intend to choose.
Fully open access
Articles are openly available. Check APCs, waivers and funding arrangements.
- Record the current amount, currency and taxes.
- Check institutional agreements, funder requirements and waiver eligibility.
“Open access” does not tell you what you personally must pay. Verify the actual journal’s fees.
出版需要多少費用？
訂閱模式
讀者取用受限制。查閱是否有頁數、彩色圖像或其他費用。
混合模式
提供訂閱及開放取用出版途徑。查閱你計劃選用的途徑。
完全開放取用
文章公開取用。查閱APC、費用豁免與資助安排。
- 記錄現行金額、幣種與稅項。
- 核實機構協議、資助者要求及豁免資格。
「開放取用」不能直接說明你個人需要支付多少費用；應核實該期刊的實際收費。
Doing Research · 13
Which stage does “24 days” describe?
- A first editorial decision may occur before external peer review.
- Time to first decision differs from time to acceptance.
- An average or median is an estimate, not a promise for your manuscript.
- Allow time for revision when planning around a deadline.
Read the definition of the statistic before using it in your publication plan.
「24天」指的是哪個階段？
- 首次編輯決定可能在外部同儕評審之前作出。
- 首次決定時間與接收時間不同。
- 平均數或中位數是估計，不是對你稿件的承諾。
- 圍繞期限規劃時，預留修訂時間。
先理解統計數據的定義，再用它規劃出版。
Doing Research · 14
Prepare the right submission package
- Word limit
- Do references, tables, captions and appendices count?
- Style
- Which reference and manuscript format is required?
- Review model
- How should identifying information be removed for anonymous review?
- Files & declarations
- What title page, manuscript, figures, supplementary files and ethics statements are needed?
Follow the individual journal’s instructions for your article type.
準備符合要求的投稿文件
- 字數限制
- 參考文獻、表格、圖說與附錄是否計入字數？
- 格式
- 要求哪種引用與文稿格式？
- 評審模式
- 匿名評審要求如何移除可識別作者的資訊？
- 文件與聲明
- 需要哪些標題頁、主文稿、圖像、補充文件與倫理聲明？
依照個別期刊對你的文章類型所訂的要求準備。
Doing Research · 15
Try it: compare two journals
Choose two journals relevant to your study. Build a profile for each.
- Identity: title, publisher, ISSN and official homepage.
- Fit: a one-sentence explanation supported by two recent articles.
- Indexing: index, provider record, coverage status and date checked.
- Metrics: named measure, year, category and reported rank / quartile.
- Practical requirements: length, review model, fees and timing.
- Decision: your strongest reason for choosing a journal and one unresolved question.
Keep the official source links so another researcher can check your conclusions.
實作：比較兩本期刊
選擇兩本與研究相關的期刊，分別建立資料檔案。
- 身份：名稱、出版社、ISSN及官方網站。
- 契合：用一句話說明理由，並以兩篇近期文章支持。
- 收錄：索引、官方紀錄、收錄狀態及查詢日期。
- 指標：具名指標、年份、學科與公布的排名／分區。
- 實際要求：字數、評審模式、費用與時間。
- 決定：最有力的選擇理由，以及一個仍需核實的問題。
保存官方來源連結，讓其他研究者可以核查你的結論。
Doing Research · 16
Three claims to question
“It has an Impact Factor, so it is SSCI.”
Check the index itself. ESCI journals can also have a JIF.
“It is Q1, so it is the best journal for my paper.”
Identify the system, year and category, then assess scope, audience and manuscript fit.
“First decision takes 24 days, so acceptance takes 24 days.”
A first decision and acceptance are different stages. The first decision may precede external peer review.
Discuss each claim before revealing the explanation.
質疑三個說法
「有影響因子，所以是SSCI期刊。」
核實索引本身；ESCI期刊也可以有JIF。
「是Q1，所以最適合我的論文。」
先確認系統、年份與學科，再判斷範圍、讀者及論文契合度。
「24天首次決定，所以24天就會接收。」
首次決定與接收是不同階段；首次決定可能早於外部同儕評審。
先討論每個說法，再展開解釋。
Doing Research · 17
Sources you can check
- Clarivate: journal selection and index coverage
- Clarivate: Journal Impact Factor definition
- Clarivate: Journal Citation Indicator
- Elsevier: CiteScore methodology
- XinRui Journal Ranking: official platform · search guide
- Springer Nature: publication costs · APCs and funding
Check current journal records when applying this guidance.