Library Help

Use this checklist to evaluate whether a journal you’ve found online is credible and suitable for academic citation.

1. Check if the Journal Is Peer-Reviewed

• Does the journal clearly describe a peer review or refereeing process on its website?

• Is there an Editorial Board made up of experts affiliated with recognized institutions? (Often listed on the website or inside the print journal.)

• Scholarly journals:

  • Usually peer-reviewed.

  • Articles include extensive references and citations.

  • Written by experts affiliated with academic or research institutions.

• Practitioner journals:

  • May lack formal peer review and references.

  • Focus on practical applications, case studies, or professional experiences.

  • Useful for real-world insights but should be supported with scholarly sources in academic work.

• If there is no Editorial Board but articles are well-referenced, consider it scholarly.

• If the journal lacks references and peer review, treat it as practitioner-focused.

2. Evaluate the Journal’s Publication Status and Reputation

• Is the journal currently active and publishing regularly?

• Has the journal changed its name recently? (This can reflect a legitimate update to its focus or scope, often due to evolving research areas.)

• Who publishes the journal? Is it a reputable academic press or established publisher (e.g., UCL, Cambridge, Sage)?

• Does your institution’s library or other academic libraries subscribe to the journal?

• Is the journal open access and listed in trusted directories like the Directory of Open Access Journals (DOAJ)?

• Is the journal indexed in major databases relevant to your field, such as:

  • British Education Index (BEI)

  • ERIC

  • Scopus

  • International Bibliography of the Social Sciences (IBSS)

  • Web of Science (WoS)

• If the journal is not indexed in major academic databases, it is likely a practitioner journal. Check whether it is affiliated with a relevant subject or professional association; if so, it can be appropriate to cite.

  Similarly, if the journal is published by an organisation, it may be acceptable to cite it, especially if your research relates directly to the organisation’s work.

3. Consider the Journal’s Funding and Potential Bias

• Who funds or sponsors the journal?

• Is the funding source transparent and credible (e.g., academic or government institutions)?

• Be cautious if the journal is funded by private or commercial interests that may influence content bias.

4. Assess Citation Metrics Responsibly

• Use aggregated citation metrics as a comparative indicator of a journal’s standing within your field and not as absolute proof of quality.

• Avoid relying solely on single metrics like Journal Impact Factor (JIF), as these can be misleading or manipulated.

• Be aware that citation patterns vary between disciplines, making metrics less meaningful in some fields (e.g., Arts, Humanities, Engineering). Additionally, citation practices can be influenced by biases: scholars with non-Western names, female researchers, and early-career academics often face disadvantages compared to established scholars.

• For best practice, refer to the UCL Bibliometrics Policy.

5. Check for Preprints and Their Status

• Is the article a preprint (not yet peer-reviewed)?

• If yes, confirm if it is hosted on a reputable preprint server (e.g., arXiv, SocArXiv, bioRxiv).

• Check if the preprint has been updated with peer review or post-publication commentary.

• Use preprints cautiously, especially for emerging topics, and clearly indicate their non-peer-reviewed status when citing.

6. Final Step: Use these questions to decide 

If the journal meets most of these criteria — clear peer review, reputable publisher, active publication, indexing in major databases, transparent funding, and responsible metric use — it is likely good enough to cite in your academic work.

If you find multiple red flags or lack evidence of rigour and transparency, consider choosing a different source.