Q4 journals are ranked between 76 – 100% of impact factor and reputation within their scientific fields, making them highly competitive and prestigious.
Publishing in a Q4 journal is often ideal for early-stage studies, regional research, or preliminary findings. While Q4 journals are generally less competitive than higher-tier journals, editors still expect clear, complete, and ethically compliant manuscripts. A submission checklist ensures your work meets basic quality standards and avoids unnecessary delays.
Why This Checklist Matters?
Even in Q4 journals, your submission should be complete and well-organized, transparent about methodology and data and compliant with ethical, funding, and referencing standards.
Following a checklist helps avoid desk rejection and streamlines the peer-review process. A professional, error-free submission also builds credibility and strengthens your publication record.
Summary
Article Specific Checklist
1
Original Research Articles – Q4 Level
Original research articles in Q4 journals should prioritize clarity, reproducibility, and structured presentation.
- Title Page: Includes author names, affiliations, and contact details for the corresponding author.
- Abstract: Structured with Background, Methods, Results, and Conclusion.
- Keywords: 3 - 6 relevant keywords aligned with the journal’s focus.
- Introduction: Clearly defines the research gap and objectives.
- Methods: Transparent methodology with reproducibility and ethical approvals.
- Results: Presented with clear tables, graphs, and statistical analysis.
- Discussion: Interprets findings critically with global context and citations.
- Conclusion: Highlights novelty and contribution to the field.
- Plagiarism check (<15%)
- KEY: Ethical approval, funding statement, author contributions and acknowledgements.
Q4 Tip
- Focus on clarity over novelty. Well-labeled tables and figures help reviewers quickly grasp your findings.
2
Review Articles – Q4 Expectations
Review articles should summarize existing literature and provide a concise narrative.
- Comprehensive Title & Abstract that attract wide readership.
- Introduction: Establishes the importance and timeliness of the review.
- Balanced Literature Coverage: Recent and credible sources, minimal self-citation.
- Critical Evaluation: Integrates findings to identify trends and research gaps.
- Figures & Tables: High-quality visuals summarizing key concepts.
- Conclusion: Summarizes perspectives and outlines future directions.
- Conclusion: Summarizes perspectives and outlines future directions.
- Plagiarism check (<10–15%)
- KEY: Author contributions and acknowledgements.
Q4 Tip
- Keep your review concise and easy to follow. Summarizing tables increase readability.
3
Systematic Reviews & Meta-Analyses
Q4 journals accept methodologically sound reviews with clear documentation.
- Title includes “Systematic Review” or “Meta-Analysis.”
- Abstract structured using PRISMA checklist.
- Detailed Methods: Databases searched, inclusion/exclusion criteria, search strings.
- Results include PRISMA flow diagram and forest plots if applicable.
- Discussion interprets findings, heterogeneity, and limitations.
- Conclusion provides practical and scientific relevance.
- KEY: Author contributions and acknowledgements.
Q2 Tip
- Register your review protocol on PROSPERO and disclose software used for analysis (e.g., RevMan, Stata).
- Transparency and reproducibility matter more than novelty. Keep methodology simple and well-structured.
4
Protocol Submissions (Clinical, Experimental & Review Protocols)
Protocols in Q2 journals must emphasize transparency, reproducibility, and adherence to international reporting standards (SPIRIT or PRISMA-P).
- Title clearly states “Protocol” and study type (e.g., Randomized Controlled Trial Protocol).
- Abstract structured with Background, Objectives, Methods, and Registration details.
- Registration ID provided (e.g., ClinicalTrials.gov, PROSPERO).
- Methods detail study design, population, interventions, outcomes, and analysis plan.
- Ethical approval and informed consent processes mentioned.
- Data management, confidentiality, and dissemination plans outlined.
- Supplementary files include SPIRIT or PRISMA-P checklist and flow diagram.
- Plagiarism check (<15%)
- KEY: Funding statement, author contributions and acknowledgements.
Q4 Tip
- Clear and detailed methodology reassures reviewers and editors, even in lower-tier journals.
5
Case Reports & Short Communications
These articles focus on novel, unusual, or clinically significant findings.
- Title and abstract clearly convey clinical relevance.
- Case presentation includes detailed patient information, diagnosis, management, and outcomes.
- Discussion links findings to literature and clinical implications.
- Patient consent and ethics approval are mandatory.
- Figures/images are clear, anonymized, and labeled professionally.
- Plagiarism check (<15%)
- KEY: Author contributions and acknowledgements.
Q4 Tip
- Emphasize the educational or practical value of the case. Conciseness is key.
Next Step: Submit to ScienceBy
Once your checklist is complete, send your manuscript here