The Institute of Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology for Postgraduate Studies at the University of Baghdad organized a training course titled “Fundamentals of Scholarly Publishing.” The course was conducted by Assist.Prof.Dr. Abdul Amir Mohammed Gharib, Assist.Prof.Dr. Ali Imad Mohammed, and Lecturer Dr. Zahraa Ahmed Shakir, with Assist.Prof.Dr. Weam Ahmed Al-Amili serving as the session chair and Assist.Prof.Dr. Ashwaq Basim Jasim as the rapporteur.
The course aimed to present a set of scientific criteria to determine whether a journal is reputable or not. Among these criteria is verifying the journal’s International Standard Serial Number (ISSN), which serves as a unique identifier for each journal, facilitating its recognition and tracking. The ISSN consists of eight digits, divided into two groups of four, such as 2411-7986. This identifier helps distinguish between journals with similar names, ensuring ease of access, reliability, and credibility, along with verifying the journal’s official website.
The event recommended verifying a journal’s accreditation by a recognized institution, such as the Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research , and utilizing platforms like Scopus and Clarivate to assess the journal’s ranking and credibility. It also emphasized checking the journal’s status on lists of predatory and commercial journals, particularly through the Electronic Journal Portal issued by the Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research / Research and Development Department / Scientific Affairs Division, to ensure the journal’s quality and integrity.
Additionally, the course advised researchers to communicate directly with publishers for further information regarding a journal’s publishing policies and standards. It also encouraged consulting faculty members or expert researchers within the field for recommendations on reputable journals. Furthermore, the course emphasized the importance of publishing in high-quality Iraqi journals and avoiding commercial publishing offices.
This initiative aligns with one of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), specifically Goal 4: Quality Education.