Quartile is an important indicator of a scientific journal that researchers pay attention to when they publish their studies. Scientific databases divide journals within the same field into four levels: Q1, Q2, Q3, and Q4. What does each quartile signify? We explain in our article.
What is a quartile?
Journal quartile – an indicator formed on the basis of statistical data that demonstrates the level of a journal’s prestige and citation rate. In this way, rankings of scientific journals are created in databases such as Scopus and Web of Science.
Journal rankings are formed through the analysis and comparison of journals within each scientific field. Journals are arranged in a list according to their citation rates, after which the ranking is divided into four equal parts. As a result, a journal is assigned a specific quartile – Q1, Q2, Q3, or Q4.
Main features:
- One journal may have several quartiles. This usually occurs when a journal publishes articles in different subject areas simultaneously. For example, it may have a Q1 ranking in computer science, while in another field it may be ranked as Q2.
- Different metrics. The quartile determination system may vary depending on the database. For example, in Scopus, the quartile is mainly determined using the SJR (Scimago Journal Rank) indicator. This takes into account the number of journal articles published over the past four years and the number of citations they received. In Web of Science, the quartile is calculated differently – based on the JIF (Journal Impact Factor) indicator. Here, the number of articles and their citation rate are also considered, but only for the past two years.
- Ranking updates. Journals are reviewed annually; therefore, their quartiles may change depending on the number of citations received during the previous year.
Types of quartiles and their meaning
- Q1 (first quartile) – the highest level. This designation is awarded to prestigious journals with the highest citation rates that are ranked within the top 25% of journals.
- Q2 (second quartile) – a high level. This group includes journals from the next 25% of the ranking that have a strong reputation.
- Q3 (third quartile) – a medium level. Journals with the third quartile have lower citation indicators and belong to the third quarter of the ranking.
- Q4 (fourth quartile) – the lowest level. These are the last 25% of journals that had the lowest citation indicators at the time of evaluation.
Why are quartiles important?
In the field of science, quartile indicators are increasingly taken into account, especially when selecting a journal for publication. There are several main reasons for this:
- Objective journal evaluation. Quartiles ensure accurate comparison of journals within the same scientific field.
- Obtaining grants and funding. When reviewing grant applications, funding organizations usually consider whether a researcher has publications in Q1 and Q2 journals. This serves as confirmation of the researcher’s expertise and increases their chances of receiving funding.
- Choosing a reliable journal. Q1-Q4 includes journals that publish high-quality content. Therefore, focusing on quartiles can protect researchers from unnecessary issues and reputational risks.
Quartiles play an important role in the scientific activities of researchers. However, it should be noted that they are not the only indicators of a journal’s value. Some high-quality journals may not have high citation rates due to objective reasons, including a short period of existence or a narrow field specialization.
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