Publication in the international Scopus database is one of the mandatory conditions for admission to a dissertation defence in Azerbaijan. If work on the article has not yet begun, it is important to plan the time remaining before the defence as precisely as possible.
Why is a Scopus publication required for a dissertation defence?
The procedure for awarding academic degrees in Azerbaijan is governed by a decree of the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan and the Regulation on the Procedure for the Award of Academic Degrees approved by that decree. Under this document, a person pursuing the degree of Candidate of Sciences needs at least 5 scientific publications, some of which must be placed in Scopus or Web of Science – the exact number depends on the branch of science.
Those pursuing the degree of Doctor of Sciences face higher requirements – at least 10 publications, with a mandatory share of articles in these databases. The dissertation council checks for these publications before confirming the defence date, so their absence can lead to the defence being postponed.
Review timelines in Scopus journals
The exact timeline depends on the journal, the discipline and the workload of the editorial office, so it is best to rely on the information published on the journal's own website. As a rule, the process includes preparing the manuscript, an initial check by the editors, peer review and revision based on the reviewers' comments, and altogether this can take from several months to half a year or longer.
There is often an additional gap between the publication of an article and its subsequent indexing in Scopus, so it is worth submitting the manuscript well in advance rather than in the final weeks before the defence.
Where should you start preparing an article for Scopus?
Before looking for a journal, it is useful to determine which part of the dissertation research is already ready to be developed into a separate article – a completed stage of analysis, part of the experimental data, or a separate theoretical section. The material should contain an independent scientific result rather than a retelling of individual chapters of the dissertation. It is also worth deciding in advance on the type of publication – an original article, a literature review or a case report, where this is acceptable for the discipline – since the structure of the text and the journal's formatting requirements depend on this choice.
Choosing a journal for your first scientific publication
A journal is chosen on the basis of the thematic profile of the work, not only on scientometric indicators. Before submitting a manuscript, it is worth checking it against the official list of active Scopus titles or the Web of Science Master Journal List, since journals are periodically removed from these databases.
The general sequence for preparing an article for submission can be set out as follows:
- Identify a completed scientific result that can be developed into a separate article.
- Check the journal's current status against the official Scopus and Web of Science lists.
- Review the journal's requirements for structure, length and formatting of the manuscript.
- Prepare the text and the reference list in line with these requirements.
- Run a check for self-plagiarism and correct citation before submission.
Which mistakes most often delay publication of an article?
A number of rejections and lengthy revisions are linked to typical shortcomings that can be corrected at the manuscript preparation stage:
- a mismatch between the article's topic and the journal's profile
- the absence of a clear IMRAD structure in natural-science and medical papers
- a high level of borrowed material or incorrect self-citation
- non-compliance with the journal's requirements for the reference list
- submission to a title that has been removed from the current Scopus list
Planning your timeline ahead of the dissertation defence
Planning is best built backwards from the defence date, allowing time not only for peer review but also for possible revision of the article and its subsequent indexing in the database. A candidate who does not yet have a single publication should also confirm with the dissertation council the exact number and profile of the required articles for their branch of science, since requirements can differ depending on the specialism.
Preparing a scientific article for Scopus is a process made up of several consecutive stages, each of which takes time. The sooner a candidate settles on a journal and brings the manuscript in line with its requirements, the higher the likelihood of getting through peer review without delay and reaching the dissertation defence on schedule.
Need help with publication in Scopus? The specialists at Scientific Publications will select a journal matching the subject of your research, check the manuscript against the journal's requirements, and support you at every stage of the publication process. To get a free consultation, fill in the form below, and our manager will contact you shortly. Onwards to new scientific achievements!
