Not-for-Profit Journal Quality and Ranking Lists

Introduction to Not-for-Profit Academic Journals

Not-for-profit academic journals play a crucial role in scholarly communication and knowledge dissemination. Unlike commercial publishers that operate to generate profit, not-for-profit journals are typically affiliated with academic institutions, professional associations, or scholarly societies. Their primary mission is to advance knowledge rather than maximize financial returns.

These journals cover a wide range of disciplines, from humanities and social sciences to STEM fields. Many of the world's most prestigious journals operate on a not-for-profit model, including those published by university presses and professional societies.

The Importance of Journal Quality Rankings

In the modern academic landscape, journal quality rankings have become essential tools for researchers, institutions, and funding bodies. These listings help scholars identify appropriate venues for their work, assist libraries in collection development, and support evaluation processes for hiring, tenure, and promotion decisions.

For not-for-profit journals, appearing on quality rankings can be particularly important as they often have fewer resources for marketing compared to their commercial counterparts. Rankings can provide visibility and recognition for journals that might otherwise be overlooked despite their scholarly significance.

Major Ranking Systems for Not-for-Profit Journals

1. Journal Citation Reports (JCR)

The Journal Citation Reports, published by Clarivate Analytics, provide annual rankings based on citation data. While primarily containing commercial journals, many prestigious not-for-profit journals also appear in these reports. The Impact Factor, calculated as the average number of citations received in a particular year by papers published in the journal during the two preceding years, remains the most well-known metric within JCR.

2. Scimago Journal Rank (SJR)

Scimago Journal Rank is a publicly available portal that includes journals indexed in the Scopus database. SJR uses an algorithm similar to Google's PageRank to evaluate journal prestige based on citation patterns. It takes into account both the number of citations received and the importance or prestige of the journals where those citations originate.

3. European Reference Index for the Humanities (ERIH)

The European Reference Index for the Humanities was developed specifically for journals in the humanities. ERIH classifies journals into three categories (INT1, INT2, NAT) based on international influence, impact, and reputation. This index explicitly includes many not-for-profit humanities journals that might not appear in other ranking systems.

4. Scopus Sources

The Scopus database provides comprehensive coverage of scientific, technical, medical, and social science literature. Journals indexed in Scopus undergo a selection process based on various quality criteria. While not a ranking system per se, inclusion in Scopus serves as a de facto quality indicator and allows journals to be benchmarked against others in the same field.

5. Directory of Open Access Journals (DOAJ)

The Directory of Open Access Journals is an independent index that includes high-quality, open-access, peer-reviewed journals. DOAJ has established criteria for inclusion that focus on publishing best practices, transparency, and open access compliance. Many not-for-profit journals, particularly those embracing open access models, are listed in DOAJ.

Evaluation Criteria for Journal Quality

Quantitative Metrics

• Citation Impact: Frequency with which articles from a journal are cited in subsequent works
• H-index: A metric that combines productivity and citation impact
• Immediacy Index: Average number of citations an article receives in the same year it was published
• Citation Half-life: Median age of articles cited in a particular year
• Download Statistics: For electronic journals, the number of article downloads can indicate reach and influence

Qualitative Indicators

• Editorial Board Quality: Reputation and expertise of editorial board members
• Peer Review Process: Rigor, transparency, and double-blind nature of peer review
• Acceptance Rate: Selectivity in publishing submissions
• Indexing: Inclusion in major databases indicates meeting quality standards
• Ethical Standards: Adherence to publication ethics and guidelines
• Publication Frequency: Regular publication schedule indicates organizational stability
• Affiliation: Connection to reputable academic institutions or societies

Challenges in Ranking Not-for-Profit Journals

Diverse Publishing Models

Not-for-profit journals encompass a wide variety of publishing models, from traditional subscription-based to diamond open access (no fees for authors or readers). These diverse models can complicate direct comparisons, as they serve different communities and operate under different financial constraints.

Field-Specific Citation Patterns

Citation practices vary significantly across disciplines. Humanities journals typically receive fewer citations than those in biomedical sciences, making direct comparison across fields problematic. This challenge particularly affects not-for-profit humanities journals, which may excel qualitatively despite lower citation counts.

Geographic and Linguistic Bias

Many ranking systems were developed with English-language journals from North America and Western Europe in mind. Not-for-profit journals serving regional or linguistic communities may be disadvantaged by these systems despite their significant contributions to local scholarship.

Commercial Bias in Metrics

Major ranking systems often favor journals published by large commercial publishers because these publishers have better resources to promote citation of their journals. Not-for-profit journals may produce equally valuable content but lack the marketing machinery to increase citations artificially.

Time Lag in Recognition

Quality metrics typically reflect citations that accumulate over years. New not-for-profit journals or those that reposition themselves may need considerable time to demonstrate their impact through established metrics, despite immediate scholarly value.

Emerging Approaches to Journal Assessment

Altmetrics

Alternative metrics, or "altmetrics," track scholarly impact through social media mentions, news coverage, policy document citations, and other digital traces. These non-traditional metrics can complement citation-based analysis and may be particularly relevant for not-for-profit journals serving broader audiences or addressing policy-relevant topics.

Transparency Standards

Organizations like the Open Access Scholarly Publishers Association (OASPA) and the Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE) have developed principles and transparency standards that allow journals to demonstrate their commitment to quality publication practices, regardless of their business model.

Reader Impact Assessment

Some initiatives are developing methods to assess journals based on their actual readership and utility to researchers, rather than citations alone. These approaches may better capture the value of not-for-profit journals that serve specific scholarly communities or practitioner audiences.

Best Practices for Evaluating Not-for-Profit Journals

For Researchers Considering Submission

• Examine the journal's aims and scope to ensure alignment with your research
• Investigate the editorial board members' reputation and expertise
• Review recent articles to assess quality and relevance
• Check for proper indexing in relevant databases
• Verify the peer review process and timeline
• Consider the journal's target audience and reach
• Look for transparency regarding editorial policies

For Academic Libraries

• Consult faculty in relevant departments about journal importance
• Evaluate usage statistics when available
• Consider cost per use for subscription journals
• Prioritize journals that support institutional research strengths
• Balance inclusion in ranking systems with scholarly impact assessment
• Assess the journal's role in the scholarly communication ecosystem

For Research Evaluation Committees

• Use multiple indicators rather than relying on a single metric
• Adapt expectations to different disciplinary norms
• Consider context-specific factors such as journal mission and audience
• Recognize the value of regional and non-English language journals
• Focus on article quality rather than journal alone
• Consult disciplinary experts when evaluating unfamiliar journals

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