The Institute of Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology for Postgraduate Studies at the University of Baghdad organized a training course titled “Fundamentals of Credible Publishing.” The course was conducted by Assistant Professor Dr. Abdul Amir Mohammed Gharib, Assistant Professor Dr. Ali Imad Mohammed, and Lecturer Dr. Zahraa Ahmed Shakir. The session was chaired by Assistant Professor Dr. Wi’am Ahmed Al-Amili, with Assistant Professor Dr. Ashwaq Basim Jasim serving as the session rapporteur.

The course aimed to highlight scientific standards that determine whether a journal is credible or not. One of the key factors discussed was verifying the journal’s International Standard Serial Number (ISSN), which acts as a unique identifier, making it easier to track and distinguish journals, especially if they share the same name. The ISSN consists of eight digits arranged in two groups of four, such as 2411-7986. Additional factors discussed included ease of access, reliability, credibility, and the journal’s official website.

The course emphasized the importance of:

  1. Verifying a journal’s accreditation by a recognized institution, such as the Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research.
  2. Using platforms like Scopus and Clarivate to check a journal’s classification and accreditation status.
  3. Screening journals on websites that list predatory and commercial journals, especially the electronic portal for journals issued by the Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research / Directorate of Research and Development / Department of Scientific Affairs to ensure quality and credibility.
  4. Contacting the publisher for additional information about the journal’s publishing policies and standards.
  5. Consulting faculty members or expert researchers in the relevant field to receive recommendations on reputable journals.
  6. Prioritizing publication in reputable Iraqi journals and avoiding commercial publishing offices.

Comments are disabled.