Lecture (19) Scopus Account & Scopus as a research engineسكوبس

SciAsk

2 Jul 202314:36

Summary

TLDRThe video provides a step-by-step guide on how to create an account on Scopus and explains the importance of using trusted journals for research. The speaker, Abdullah, discusses why researchers should aim to access indexed and credible journals through Scopus, highlighting its features compared to other search engines like Google Scholar. The tutorial covers creating an account via academic email or Google, the benefits of using Scopus, and how to filter top journals and open-access papers. Abdullah also gives advice on starting in scientific research, even for beginners without prior experience.

Takeaways

🌐 Scopus is a trusted research database for accessing high-quality journals, and it's important to know how to create an account to benefit from its resources.
📚 Being on Scopus allows you to access journals that are classified and trusted, which is crucial for both reading and referencing in research.
🧑‍🔬 It's important to rely on reputable sources for your research to ensure the reliability of your work.
🔑 Scopus provides features for free access to certain research papers if you're signed in through an academic institution or platforms like the Egyptian Knowledge Bank.
💻 It's recommended to create an account using an academic email for better access to free research papers compared to using a regular email like Gmail.
📈 Scopus helps track the ranking and classification of journals, helping you identify whether a journal is reliable and worth publishing in or citing from.
🔍 Scopus offers advantages over Google Scholar by focusing on more systematized and peer-reviewed academic content.
📊 Scopus includes more than 41,000 journals, which are categorized and updated annually based on specific standards, with some journals entering and others leaving.
🏅 The platform highlights the top 10% of journals, offering an overview of the most impactful and influential publications in various fields.
💡 Beginners in research can start by reading and exploring journals from their chosen field, and Scopus allows you to filter by open-access journals to freely download articles.

Q & A

What is the main focus of the video?
-The video focuses on how to create an account on Scopus and explains the key features and benefits of using Scopus as a search engine for academic research.
Why is it important to access ranked and trusted journals on Scopus?
-Accessing ranked and trusted journals is important because they provide reliable and credible sources for research. Using these sources ensures the quality and authenticity of the research work.
What is the advantage of using an academic email over a personal Gmail account for Scopus access?
-Using an academic email may provide access to more research materials for free, as some institutions offer additional resources to their members. This is often not available through a personal Gmail account.
What is the difference between Scopus and Google Scholar?
-Scopus is more structured in its approach and provides access to verified and ranked journals, while Google Scholar offers a broader search but may include less reliable sources. Scopus also allows users to see metrics and rankings for journals, making it a more specialized tool for academic research.
How does Scopus categorize journals based on their quality?
-Scopus ranks journals into different categories, such as Q1 to Q4, with Q1 representing the top 10% of journals in a particular field. These rankings help users determine the quality and influence of the journals.
Why should researchers aim to publish in high-ranking journals on Scopus?
-Publishing in high-ranking journals increases the visibility and credibility of the research, as these journals are trusted and widely read within the academic community. It also enhances the researcher's reputation.
How can users find open access journals on Scopus?
-Users can filter journals on Scopus to find open access journals by selecting the 'Open Access' option. This allows users to access research papers for free.
What is the Scopus List, and how often is it updated?
-The Scopus List is a comprehensive list of journals indexed by Scopus, which includes more than 41,000 journals. It is updated annually, with new journals being added and others removed based on specific criteria.
How can beginners in academic research benefit from Scopus?
-Beginners can benefit from Scopus by using its advanced search features to find high-quality journals in their field of study. Scopus also provides tools for filtering research, allowing users to start by reading reviews and high-impact studies to build their knowledge base.
What is the significance of using Scopus to explore research trends and ideas?
-Scopus allows users to explore the latest research trends by providing access to recent papers and citations. This helps researchers stay updated on advancements in their field and can inspire new research ideas.

Outlines

00:00

👋 Introduction to Scopus Account Creation and Research Benefits

This paragraph introduces the video, which focuses on how to create an account on Scopus and the advantages of using Scopus as a research tool. The speaker, Abdullah, highlights the importance of using reliable journals for reading and citing in research. He discusses the significance of accessing credible sources through Scopus, especially for academic purposes. The segment also covers how to create an account using different methods, such as through Egyptian Knowledge Bank or academic emails, and emphasizes the value of using an academic email to access more free resources.

05:01

🔍 Exploring Scopus: Features and Access to Research Journals

This section delves into the extensive collection of journals available on Scopus, highlighting over 41,000 indexed journals. It emphasizes the importance of knowing which journals are the strongest globally, regardless of one’s specialty. The paragraph covers the benefits of accessing free research papers using academic emails and details the differentiation between open access and subscription-based journals on Scopus. Additionally, it explains how to identify top-rated journals, such as the top 10% or the best 25% in specific fields, and the value of these journals in research.

10:02

📚 How to Begin Research: Navigating Journals and Topics in Scopus

This paragraph focuses on guiding researchers, especially beginners, on how to start their research journey using Scopus. It explains how to filter journals by field and access relevant research articles. The speaker outlines steps to identify the most impactful journals in a specific domain and suggests using review articles to get an overview of current research trends. The segment encourages students, even those still in school, to explore scientific literature to build foundational knowledge and eventually develop their own research ideas. It ends with advice on utilizing Scopus tools to refine research skills.

Mindmap

Keywords

💡Scopus

Scopus is a bibliographic database that provides a comprehensive overview of research publications, journals, and citations across various disciplines. In the video, it is emphasized as a trusted research tool for identifying high-quality journals and articles. The speaker explains the importance of using Scopus to access ranked journals and reliable sources, making it crucial for researchers to base their studies on credible publications.

💡Academic Account

An academic account refers to a registered account on Scopus or other academic platforms using a university or research institution's email. The video highlights the advantage of using an academic account, particularly in gaining access to more free research articles compared to a general Gmail account. This account type is preferred by universities and institutions to support researchers.

💡Ranked Journals

Ranked journals are scholarly publications that have been evaluated and categorized based on their impact and quality. In Scopus, journals are ranked into different categories such as Q1 (top 25%) and Q4 (bottom 25%). The video emphasizes the significance of publishing in high-ranked journals for academic credibility, as well as the benefits of reading articles from trusted, ranked journals to ensure reliable sources in research.

💡Egyptian Knowledge Bank

The Egyptian Knowledge Bank (EKB) is an online platform that provides access to scientific resources and databases. The speaker mentions how users can access Scopus through the EKB, enabling Egyptian researchers and students to benefit from Scopus's vast database without the need for individual subscriptions. This partnership allows for greater accessibility to research materials for Egyptian scholars.

💡Open Access Journals

Open access journals allow free access to their publications without any subscription or payment barriers. The video discusses how Scopus helps users identify these journals, making research more accessible to those who may not have institutional or paid access. The speaker specifically highlights that among the 41,000 journals in Scopus, around 6,000 are open access, enabling users to freely read and download articles.

💡Q1 Journals

Q1 journals are those ranked in the top 25% based on their impact and citation metrics. The video emphasizes that publishing in a Q1 journal is considered prestigious and important for building a strong academic reputation. The speaker also suggests using Scopus to filter and search for Q1 journals within specific fields to target the best venues for publication or reading.

💡Search Strategy

Search strategy refers to the methods used to efficiently find relevant research articles on Scopus or other search engines. The speaker compares search engines like Google Scholar with Scopus, highlighting Scopus's systematic and reliable approach to finding high-quality research. The video explains the importance of refining search strategies using filters like journal rank, open access availability, and specific fields of study.

💡Impact Factor

Impact factor is a metric that measures the average number of citations received by articles published in a journal. The speaker discusses how Scopus can be used to check a journal’s impact factor, helping researchers assess the journal’s influence and reliability. High-impact-factor journals are often more respected in academic circles, making them key targets for publication and reading.

💡Journal Metrics

Journal metrics provide a quantitative measure of a journal's influence and reputation, including metrics like impact factor, citation counts, and h-index. In the video, the speaker points out the value of using Scopus to evaluate these metrics before selecting a journal for publishing or referencing in research. These metrics help ensure that researchers are engaging with high-quality academic content.

💡Research Publication

Research publication refers to the process of publishing academic research in a scholarly journal. The video covers key considerations when choosing where to publish, including journal ranking, open access options, and Scopus indexing. The speaker advises early-career researchers to focus on publishing in trusted, ranked journals to build their academic profiles and contribute credible research to their field.

Highlights

Introduction to how to create an account on Scopus and utilize its features.

Importance of targeting trusted journals for reading and citing in research to ensure credibility.

Explanation of Scopus as a platform that ranks journals and how this ranking impacts research quality.

Steps to create a Scopus account using an academic or Gmail account, with a preference for academic emails for more access to research papers.

Discussion on the benefits of using Scopus over other search engines like Google Scholar.

Comparison between Scopus and Google Scholar, focusing on how Scopus provides systematic ranking and filtering for journals.

Clarification on the Scopus list of ranked journals, which is updated annually based on certain criteria.

Description of how to access and evaluate journals on Scopus based on their impact and relevance to your field.

The significance of identifying the top 10% of journals for your research to enhance credibility.

Tips for finding open-access journals on Scopus, especially for those using academic or research-related email accounts.

Guidance on understanding the ranking system within Scopus, particularly for distinguishing between Q1, Q2, Q3, and Q4 journals.

Explanation of ISSN numbers and how they help in determining the credibility and indexing status of journals.

Steps for early researchers or students to get started with research in Scopus, including filtering results by field and focus.

Advice for reading existing research in Scopus to gain insights and develop ideas for new research.

How to use Scopus to find specific research relevant to current academic or scientific interests and explore key publications in specific fields.