Top Academic Journals in Countries With the Highest Research Output
Jun 26, 2023 |
15 Mins ReadIn the landscape of academia, where breakthroughs and discoveries shape our understanding of the world, scientific academic journals serve as gateways to knowledge. As the pursuit of knowledge intensifies, certain countries have emerged as beacons of research, generating an impressive volume of scientific output. From the bustling laboratories of the United States to the innovative corridors of China, this blog is an exploration of the foremost journals in countries where research thrives, illuminating global scientific collaboration.
China
Citations of Chinese research escalated significantly in 2020 due to the sequencing of the covid-19 genome, this caused China to overtake the US to become the biggest academic research contributor in the fields of physical sciences, chemistry, earth and environmental sciences. Globally, China is also the biggest research collaborator. Many of the most cited papers are developed in collaboration with international researchers, gaining its 1st rank as the country with the highest research output globally.
As of June 2023, the top journal within China is AI Open specializing in computer science and covering important subject areas like artificial intelligence, computer science applications
Computer Vision and Pattern Recognition, human-computer interaction, and information systems.
| Journal | Discipline | SJR | H-Index |
| AI Open | Computer Science | 4.726 | 10 |
| Mycosphere | Agricultural & Biological Science | 3.918 | 34 |
| Protein and Cell | Molecular Biology, Medicine & Pharmaceutics | 3.367 | 82 |
| Engineered Regeneration | Biomedical Engineering | 3.250 | 19 |
| Communications in Transportation Research | Engineering & Social Sciences | 3.188 | 15 |
United States of America
Following the second world war, the US government excelled in becoming a prominent source of research funding through the National Health Institute and National Science Foundation, including the Departments of Defence, Energy, Agriculture and Education. Through these significant funding opportunities, the US has made several note-worthy contributions to the field of science like laser technology which is now utilised considerably in telecommunications and medical technology. Additionally, the PageRank algorithm's development eventually led to Google's formation.
As of June 2023, the top journal in the US is the Cancer Journal for Clinicians. Covering significant research content from the 1950s to 2022, the journal has an impressive h-index score of 198.
| Journal | Discipline | SJR | H-Index |
| Cancer Journal for Clinicians | Hematology & Oncology | 86.091 | 198 |
| Cell | Biochemistry | 26.494 | 856 |
| New England Journal of Medicine | Medicine | 26.015 | 1130 |
| MMWR Recommendations and Reports | Environmental & Social Sciences | 23.962 | 151 |
| American Economic Review | Economics & Finance | 21.833 | 337 |
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom is globally ranked 3rd with nearly 200,000 citable publications in just 2020. The nation is home to the world’s most historic universities and colleges originating from the 12th and 13th centuries. The UK’s strong legacy within education is a global benchmark to this day. The country has made significant scientific contributions like the invention of the incandescent light bulb, the unification of electromagnetism, and the discovery of penicillin.
The top journal within the UK as of June 2023 is the Quarterly Journal of Economics. The journal covers important economic and financial research studies from 1886 to 2022, gaining an h-index score of 198.
| Journal | Discipline | SJR | H-Index |
| Quarterly Journal of Economics | Economics & Finance | 36.730 | 292 |
| Nature Reviews Molecular Cell Biology | Biochemistry & Genetics | 34.201 | 485 |
| Nature Medicine | Biochemistry & Medicine | 24.687 | 605 |
| Nature Biotechnology | Chemical Engineering & Molecular Biology | 22.781 | 491 |
| Nature Reviews Materials | Energy & Materials Science | 21.927 | 156 |
India
India has made significant scientific and technological advancements globally, ranking 4th. The country has built satellites and launched probes to the Moon and Mars, established nuclear power stations, revolutionised railway computerisation applications and developed the field of oceanography to ensure optimal utilisation of resources and maintaining marine life.
India’s top journal as of June 2023 is Higher Education for the Future. The journal covers aspects of social sciences and education from 2019 to 2022 and has a h-index score 9.
| Journal | Discipline | SJR | H-Index |
| Higher Education for the Future | Social Sciences & Education | 2.107 | 9 |
| Asian Journal of Social Health & Behaviour | Medicine, Psychology & Social Sciences | 1.900 | 11 |
| Hepatology International | Medicine | 1.577 | 58 |
| Animal Frontiers | Veterinary, Agricultural and Biological Sciences | 1.163 | 44 |
| Global Journal of Flexible Systems Management | Business Management & Accounting | 1.072 | 40 |
Germany
Germany is home to significant inventors who contributed to the fields of science and technology. Konrad Zuse built the first electronic computer, Johannes Gutenbury invented movable type printing, and Ernst Ruska and Max Knoll invented the first electronic microscope.
The top journal in Germany as of June 2023 is the Astronomy and Astrophysics Review. The academic journal covers earth and planetary sciences, physics, astronomy, and housing research from 1989 to 2022 with an h-index score of 74.
| Journal | Discipline | SJR | H-Index |
| Astronomy & Astrophysics Review | Planetary Sciences, Physics & Astronomy | 9.937 | 74 |
| Advanced Energy Materials | Energy & Materials Science | 9.044 | 290 |
| Electrochemical Energy Reviews | Chemical Engineering & Electrochemistry | 8.905 | 47 |
| Nature Metabolism | Molecular Biology & Medicine | 7.045 | 57 |
| Publications Mathematiques de l'Institut des Hautes Etudes Scientifiques | Mathematics | 6.582 | 46 |
Concluding the exploration of the best journals in countries with the highest research output, this blog highlighted the remarkable intellectual landscapes around the globe. These countries, with their thriving research environments, contribute to the advancement of science and inspire researchers worldwide to push the boundaries of their respective fields. As the world progresses with significant advancements, it is evident that the best journals in high-output countries will continue to be at the forefront of disseminating groundbreaking research and fostering collaborations that shape the world.
How to Write a Strong Literature Review (With Examples)
In a previous blog, we highlighted top 5 best AI tools for literature review that offer a large collection of research materials to support your research. Now, in this blog, we will go through the process and the 3 pillars of writing lit review while providing a real-life literature review example to help you grasp the concept with ease. What's a Literature Review? A literature review is a summary of what other researchers have already discovered about your topic. It helps you figure out what's already known, what questions still need answers, and how your own research fits into the bigger picture. What Are the 3 Pillars of Literature Review? Introduction The introduction of a literature review should: Provide context for the topic Define the scope and purpose of the review Outline the organisational framework Present a clear thesis statement Body The body of the literature review is where you analyse and synthesise existing research. Consider organising your review by: Themes or concepts Chronological order Methodological approaches Conclusion A strong conclusion should: Summarise key findings Highlight contributions to the field Discuss implications and applications Suggest directions for future research Tips on How to Write a Great Literature Review Read widely to get a full picture of your topic. Don't just summarise - analyse and compare different studies. Look for patterns and gaps in the research. Keep your writing clear and logical. Use transition words to help your ideas flow smoothly. How Zendy Can Help with Your Literature Review In order to write a strong literature review you need to find the right sources, and of course a tools to help accelerate the process. Zendy.io isn’t just a digital library that offers access to relevant studies across disciplines, but it also helps you write a solid literature review, Zendy AI tools include features designed to help you with literature reviews. You can: Summarise lengthy research articles instantly Highlight key phrases and findings Ask ZAIA, your personal AI research assistant, to explain complex papers Compare multiple sources to find common themes or gaps It’s a simple way to stay focused, save time, and actually enjoy the process. Real-Life Literature Review Example This is my favourite example of a literature review! Assume you're reviewing literature on climate change and agriculture: "Researchers have been studying how climate change affects farming for decades. Early studies in the 1990s focused mainly on crop yields (Stephen, 1992; Iana, 1995). As time went on, scientists started looking at more complex issues. For example, Sleman (2005) examined how changing rainfall patterns affect soil quality, while Monica (2010) investigated the spread of new crop diseases in warmer temperatures. Recent research has taken a broader view. Emad (2018) looked at how climate change impacts entire food systems, from farm to table. Meanwhile, Rodrigo (2020) explored how small-scale farmers in developing countries are adapting to new weather patterns. Despite all this research, we still don't know enough about how climate change will affect food security in specific regions. Future studies could focus on creating detailed, local predictions to help farmers prepare for what's ahead." See how this example of literature review flows naturally from one idea to the next? It gives you a clear picture of how research in this area has evolved over time. Other Examples of Literature Review Chronological literature review example: Learners’ Listening Comprehension Difficulties in English Language Learning: A Literature Review Methodological literature review example: Literature review as a research methodology: An overview and guidelines Theoretical literature review example: Why Do People Migrate? A Review of the Theoretical Literature Thematic literature review example: The Use of Technology in English Language Learning: A Literature Review Other literature review example: The Economics of Global Climate Change: A Historical Literature Review University of West Florida: Literature Review: Conducting & Writing By following these tips and studying literature review examples, you'll be ready to start writing a solid literature review. Remember, the key is to organise your sources, explain how they connect, and point out what still needs to be studied. Happy researching! .wp-block-image img { max-width: 85% !important; margin-left: auto !important; margin-right: auto !important; }
The Journal of Financial Economics
A top peer-reviewed journal since 1974 published by Elsevier, founded by Michael C. Jensen, Eugene Fama, and Robert C. Merton. The Journal of Financial Economics (JEF) serves as a dedicated platform for publishing high-quality studies on financial markets, corporate finance, financial intermediation, entrepreneurial finance, corporate governance, organisational economics, macro-finance, behavioural finance, and household finance. Focused on both theoretical and empirical research in financial economics. The Journal of Financial Economics prioritises rigorous empirical, theoretical, and experimental contributions, particularly those related to the theory of the firm and financial economics. Journal of Financial Economics Impact Factor and Rankings According to the latest updates from VU Journal Publishing Guide, The Journal of Financial Economics has made a big impact, with an impressive 10.4 impact factor as of 2024. That puts it among the top economics and finance journals globally. It ranks 5th out of 600 in the Economics category and takes the top spot—1st out of 233—in Business, Finance. These rankings highlight just how influential the journal is in its field. AbbreviationJ. FINANC. ECONISSN0304-405X (1879-2774)eISSN:N/ACategoryAccounting (Q1); Economics and Econometrics (Q1); Finance (Q1); Strategy and Management (Q1)WoS Core Citation IndexesSSCI - Social Sciences Citation IndexJournal Impact Factor (JIF)10.45-year Impact Factor11.4Best ranking:ECONOMICS (Q1) Percentage rank: 99.2%CountrySWITZERLANDPublisherElsevier Source: WoS Journal of Financial Economics Scopus Metrics According to Scopus data for 2023, the journal's metrics are equally impressive: SCImago Journal Rank (SJR): 13.655 Source Normalized Impact per Paper (SNIP): 5.048 CiteScore: 15.8 These metrics reinforce the journal's reputation as a leader in its field, with high rankings in many categories including Accounting, Finance, Economics and Econometrics, and Strategy and Management. Journal of Financial Economics H-index and Citations The Journal of Financial Economics has an exceptional h-index of 311, indicating that at least 311 articles published in the journal have been cited at least 311 times each. This high h-index reflects the journal's strong impact and the enduring relevance of its published research. What is The Scope of The Journal of Financial Economics? The journal covers a wide range of topics within finance and economics, including: Accounting Economics and Econometrics Finance Strategy and Management It's particularly known for its applied papers and case studies section, which provides a platform for scholarly studies of actual cases, events, or practices in the financial world. Conclusion The Journal of Financial Economics stands out as a top-tier publication in its field, consistently ranking highly across various metrics. Its high impact factor, impressive SJR, and strong h-index all point to its significant influence in the world of financial economics. For researchers and professionals in finance and economics, publishing or referencing articles from this journal can lend considerable weight to their work. .wp-block-image img { max-width: 85% !important; margin-left: auto !important; margin-right: auto !important; }
How to Find Peer-Reviewed Articles for Your Research
If you're doing research, you'll want to use reliable sources. Peer-reviewed articles are among the best because experts review them before they're published, ensuring quality and credibility. The benefits of expert peer review in research are significant—it helps maintain high standards, validates findings, and improves the overall reliability of academic work. But how do you find these peer-reviewed journal articles, and how can you tell if a journal is peer-reviewed? Let's break it down. What Are Peer-Reviewed Articles? A peer-reviewed article is one that has been checked by other experts in the field before publication. This process helps make sure the research is solid and trustworthy. Where Can You Find Peer-Reviewed Journal Articles? You can find peer-reviewed articles in a few different places: University Libraries – If you're a student or faculty member, your university library probably gives you access to research databases. Academic Databases – Websites like PubMed, JSTOR, ScienceDirect, and Web of Science have collections of scholarly peer-reviewed articles. Zendy – Affordable and accessible peer-reviewed scholarly content, in partnerships with leading publishers e.g., IntechOpen, IEEE, IT Governance Publishing, and IGI Global, powered by AI. Google Scholar – Some journal articles here are peer-reviewed, but not all. You’ll need to check the source. See The Growth of Digital Libraries: Benefits, Challenges & Trajectory How to Recognise Peer-Reviewed Journal Articles There are 4 ways to check if a journal is peer-reviewed or not: Visit the Journal’s Website – Look for a section about their review process. Use Library Databases – Many academic databases label peer-reviewed journals. Check the Editorial Board – A peer-reviewed journal usually lists experts who review submissions. Look It Up on Ulrichsweb – This directory can tell you if a journal is peer-reviewed. Are Google Scholar Articles Peer-Reviewed? Not necessarily. Google Scholar collects all sorts of academic work, including conference papers and preprints, which may not have gone through peer review. To check, see if the article was published in a reputable journal. What Is a Peer Review Example? Let’s say a scientist submits a research paper to a journal. The editor sends it to other experts, who review it for accuracy and clarity. And then they might suggest changes or reject the paper if it doesn’t meet the journal’s standards. So if the paper gets approved, it’s published as a peer-reviewed article. What’s the Difference Between Peer Review and an Original Article? Peer Review – A process where experts evaluate a research paper before it’s published. Original Article – A research paper that presents new findings. Some original articles are peer-reviewed, while others aren’t. How To Select Peer-Reviewed Journal Articles? When looking for peer-reviewed articles: Check the Journal – Make sure it's known for publishing peer-reviewed articles. Look at the Author’s Background – Are they an expert in the field? Review the References – Good research builds on other credible studies. Use Trusted Databases – Databases like Zendy, PubMed, and Scopus focus on peer-reviewed work. How Do You Know If a Peer-Reviewed Article Is Credible? Even among scholarly peer-reviewed journals, some are more reliable than others. Here’s what to look for: Reputation of the Journal – Some journals have stricter standards than others. Possible Bias – If a study is funded by a company with an interest in the results, for example, a pharmaceutical company funding a study on its own medication might have an interest in positive findings, be cautious. Strong Research Methods – A reliable, peer-reviewed article clearly explains how the research was conducted and how conclusions were reached. Retraction History – Some papers are later retracted due to mistakes or misconduct. Check if the article has been retracted. Final Thoughts It’s not hard to find peer-reviewed journal articles; it just takes a trusted source and a clear understanding of what you’re looking for. Digital libraries like Zendy give you access to everything you need in one place, including both free and paywalled peer-reviewed articles, with over 40 million articles across disciplines like engineering, medicine, economics, and more. .wp-block-image img { max-width: 85% !important; margin-left: auto !important; margin-right: auto !important; }