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Find journals where real researchers have published
Paste your title, keywords or abstract. We match it against 28,582 journal papers published by PhD researchers on ScholarsColab and show where the closest work appeared, with each journal’s indexing (SCIE, SSCI, AHCI, ESCI, Scopus, JCR 2024).
How it works: no AI or language model is used. Your words are matched against the titles of real published papers by our mentors; journals are ranked by how many closely matching papers they published. Indexing comes from the SCIE, SSCI, AHCI, ESCI, Scopus and JCR 2024 lists, matched by journal name; “not found in our indexing lists” does not prove a journal is unindexed. Always check a journal’s scope and current indexing before submitting.
Warning signs
| Warning sign | What to check |
|---|---|
| Unsolicited, flattering emails inviting your paper | Reputable journals rarely recruit papers this way |
| Guaranteed or very fast acceptance | Genuine peer review takes time; “acceptance in 3 days” is a red flag |
| Claims of “impact factors” from unknown organisations | Only Clarivate issues the Journal Impact Factor |
| Indexing claims you cannot confirm | Check the Web of Science Master Journal List and Scopus Sources yourself |
| A name very similar to a well-known journal | Compare the ISSN and website with the official ones (hijacked journals copy real titles) |
| Fees revealed only after acceptance | Reputable journals publish their fees openly |
| Very broad scope (“all fields of science”) | Combined with other signs, a reason for caution |
| Editorial board you cannot verify | Check that listed editors exist and know they are listed |
Real data: journals outside the indexing lists
46% of our mentors’ journal papers appeared in journals not found in any of these six lists. That does not make those journals predatory: many are regional, national-language, new or specialised journals. But it is a reason to check any journal carefully before submitting.Not being in these lists does not make a journal predatory, and being listed is not a guarantee either: databases remove journals that stop meeting their standards. Treat indexing as one check among several.
Five checks before you submit
- Verify indexing on the Master Journal List and Scopus Sources, using the ISSN.
- Visit the journal from the publisher’s official website, not from a link in an email.
- Read recent papers: are they in your field, and of good quality?
- Check memberships such as the Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE) or the Directory of Open Access Journals (DOAJ).
- Use the Think. Check. Submit. checklist, and ask an experienced colleague or mentor.
Why the Journal Finder helps
The finder suggests journals where PhD researchers on ScholarsColab have actually published similar work, shows the indexing lists each journal appears in, and lets you filter for Web of Science or Scopus journals only. You can see the real papers behind each suggestion before you decide.
Frequently asked questions
What is a predatory journal?
A predatory journal charges authors to publish but does not provide genuine peer review or editorial standards, often misleading authors about its indexing or impact.
How can I check if a journal is legitimate?
Verify its indexing on the Web of Science Master Journal List and Scopus Sources using the ISSN, read recent papers, check the editorial board and fees, and look for memberships such as COPE or DOAJ.
What is a hijacked journal?
A hijacked journal is a fake website that copies the name and ISSN of a genuine journal to collect fees from unsuspecting authors.
Are all journals not in Scopus or Web of Science predatory?
No. Many legitimate journals are regional, new, specialised or published in national languages and are not yet indexed. They need careful checking, not automatic rejection.
What should I do if I published in a predatory journal?
Seek advice from your supervisor or institution. Options may include withdrawing the paper, though this can be difficult; learning the warning signs helps avoid it next time.
Want a PhD expert to choose the journal with you?
Our Journal Selection & Submission service shortlists up to 5 journals that match your manuscript, indexing requirement and target quartile, and handles the submission. If your paper was rejected before, a Manuscript Audit shows what to fix first.