Q1 and Q2 Journals

What you should know

A quartile compares a journal with others in the same subject category using a metric such as Journal Impact Factor (Clarivate) or CiteScore and SJR (Scopus). Q1 is the top quarter. The same journal can be Q1 in one category and Q2 in another, and quartiles change every year.

The step from Q3 to Q1 is mostly a step in research quality, not in writing. Novelty, evaluation against current methods and clear reporting matter most.

How PhDPRIMA helps, end to end

1. Honest assessment of whether your contribution is Q1, Q2 or better aimed lower
2. Strengthening of the model, baselines and statistical analysis before writing
3. Journal ladder: a first choice, a second choice and a safe landing
4. Reviewer-response planning so a major revision becomes an acceptance

How to check it yourself

• Quote the quartile for the exact subject category and year
• Use the same source your institution requires, whether Clarivate or Scopus
• Be wary of journals that claim a quartile you cannot verify at the official source

Common questions

Why can one journal be Q1 and Q2?

Quartiles are assigned per subject category. A journal listed in two categories can rank differently in each.

Is Q1 right for my PhD paper?

Sometimes. A well-planned Q2 paper published on time can be worth more than a Q1 attempt that takes years. We help you decide with evidence.