Scopus (Elsevier) and Web of Science SCI/SCIE (Clarivate) are the two most prestigious academic databases. Understanding their differences helps you target appropriate journals and interpret metrics correctly.
Scopus indexes over 28,000 active journals with broad international coverage. SCI/SCIE indexes approximately 12,000 journals with stricter selection criteria, particularly for natural sciences and engineering.
Verify these items before submitting to Scopus-indexed journals
Upload manuscript files, figures, tables, and supplementary materials through the journal's submission portal.
Editor checks formatting, scope alignment, and basic quality. Desk rejection occurs at this stage.
Editor invites 2-4 reviewers. Reviewers accept or decline based on expertise and availability.
Reviewers evaluate methodology, results, and significance. Editor synthesises feedback.
Accept, minor/major revision, or reject. Accepted papers move to production and online publication.
Average citations per paper in the last 2 years. Only available for SCI/SCIE journals. Range: 0.5-50+.
Journals ranked within top 25% (Q1), 25-50% (Q2), 50-75% (Q3), or bottom 25% (Q4) of their category.
Average citations per document over 3 years. Available for all Scopus-indexed journals. Free to access.
SJR weights citations by prestige. SNIP normalises for field differences. Both free via Scopus.