For many authors, “is this journal indexed?” is one of the first questions asked before submitting — and for good reason. Indexing status affects discoverability, institutional recognition, and in some countries, direct eligibility for grants, promotions, or degree requirements. Here’s what indexing actually means and how to verify it for any journal you’re considering.
What Indexing Actually Means
Being “indexed” in a database like Scopus, Web of Science, or EconLit means the database has evaluated the journal against its inclusion criteria — typically covering editorial rigor, peer review process, publication regularity, and citation impact — and added it to a curated, searchable collection. It is not automatic; journals apply and are periodically re-evaluated.
Why Indexing Matters to Authors
- Discoverability: Indexed journals are searchable through databases researchers use routinely, increasing the likelihood your paper is found and cited.
- Institutional recognition: Many universities, particularly outside North America and Western Europe, tie promotion, graduation, or funding requirements explicitly to publication in indexed journals.
- Perceived legitimacy: Indexing serves as an external quality signal, since it means an independent body has vetted the journal’s editorial practices.
How to Verify a Journal’s Indexing Status Directly
Rather than relying on secondhand claims, verify indexing status directly through primary sources:
- Scopus: Search the journal title directly at Scopus’s source list or its public source-title search tool
- Web of Science: Check the Clarivate Master Journal List to confirm current coverage
- EconLit: The American Economic Association maintains a searchable list of EconLit-covered journals
Because indexing status can change — journals are added, and occasionally removed for editorial or citation-integrity concerns — checking directly through these primary sources at the time of submission is more reliable than relying on a journal’s own claims alone, however well-intentioned.
Indexing Is Not the Only Signal of Quality
A journal can be genuinely rigorous and well-edited without yet holding indexing in a particular database, particularly if it’s newer or serves a specialized regional or subfield audience. Conversely, indexing doesn’t guarantee every paper published is equally strong. Use indexing as one input alongside scope fit, editorial board quality, and the caliber of recently published work.
What to Do If Indexing Matters for Your Specific Requirements
If your institution or funding body has an explicit indexing requirement, confirm the specific databases that satisfy it (requirements vary — some accept Scopus but not Web of Science, or vice versa) before submitting, rather than assuming any indexed journal will satisfy an institutional mandate.
For the journal’s current scope, focus areas, and any indexing or database information it publishes directly, review the Journal of Economics and Management’s scope page, and reach out to the editorial team directly with any specific indexing questions before submitting.
Confirmed the fit and requirements you need? Submit your manuscript through the paper submission page.