Researcher Compass

Recently, Web of Science, Clarivate’s influential database of abstracts and citations, has paused the indexation of new content from the open-access journals Heliyon (an Elsevier title) and Cureus (a Springer title), placing them "on hold". According to Web of Science's definition, "on hold" means:

Concerns have been raised about the quality of the content published in this journal. The journal is being re-evaluated according to our selection criteria; new content will not be indexed during the course of the re-evaluation. When the evaluation is complete, the publisher will be informed of the outcome, and the journal will either:
- be removed from coverage if it no longer meets the quality criteria,
- or remain covered if it continues to meet the quality criteria.

Web of Science is currently re-evaluating whether these journals meet its selection criteria and is not indexing new content during this process. Authors should assume innocence until further notice and are advised to monitor developments with Heliyon and Cureus in the coming weeks and months.

Importance of Monitoring Delisting of Journal Titles

Paying attention to the delisting of journal titles from Web of Science or Scopus is important for several reasons:

• Research Impact: Publications in indexed journals are generally recognized as having higher academic impact. Delisting may affect the perceived quality and reach of your research.
• Institutional Requirements: Many institutions require faculty to publish in indexed journals for tenure, promotion, or funding. Delisting could impact career progression and evaluations.
• Citation Counts: Indexed journals typically receive more citations. Delisting can reduce visibility, potentially affecting future citations of your work.
• Funding Opportunities: Some funding bodies require publications in indexed journals. Delisting might affect eligibility for certain grants or funding.
• Academic Reputation: Publishing in reputable, indexed journals enhances a researcher's academic reputation. Delisting might suggest issues with the journal's quality or integrity.
• Collaborative Opportunities: Researchers often seek collaborations based on work published in recognized journals. Delisting can impact networking and collaboration potential.

In summary, the delisting of journal titles from WoS or Scopus can have significant repercussions for researchers, affecting the perceived quality and reach of their work, and potentially hindering career progression, funding applications, collaboration opportunities, and academic reputation. Staying informed about these changes is crucial for making strategic decisions about where to publish.