Dear Abdirasak Sharif Ali ,

The journal “International Journal of Formal Sciences: Current and Future Research Trends (IJFSCFRT)”. The publisher behind this journal is called International Scientific Research and Researchers Association (ISRRA) (and they publish a number of journals https://isrra.org/index.php/isrra_call_for_research_papers/Fast_Publishing_Journals ).

It is a somewhat mixed picture when it comes to this journal:

-The good thing is that their indexing info does not mention misleading metrics often used by predatory journals (https://beallslist.net/misleading-metrics/ ). However, the journal has not a single serious indexing (like Scopus)

-Editorial board is mentioned but certain names are mentioned in all their journals. Furthermore, I doubt the existence of “Koning Brill Kat” (nothing serious can be found about this person but just Google and you find well… unrelated things). Furthermore Scott Howell seems to be a real person but works for a (private) sport science institute and owns a BS degree, when not working at a university you cannot hold the title of Prof as they do in their info which is to say the least sloppy (https://ijascfrtjournal.isrra.org/index.php/Applied_Sciences_Journal/about/editorialTeam )

-Papers look more or less ok but I checked a couple and saw numerous language errors and hardly any editing (see for example the lack of editing here https://ijfscfrtjournal.isrra.org/index.php/Formal_Sciences_Journal/article/view/668/48 )

-A little thing but mentioning “Publication Fees Reduced to 50 USD until the end of this month” is nice but… which month?

So, the good thing is that this journal is (most likely) not predatory but it is not a really good one either (poor quality, none of the publishers’ journals has any serious indexing, poor language all over their site, etc.). So, personally I would not use this one but if you want to have at least something to show for in terms of publications you might.

However, unfortunately the two journals where you published your previous publications are not that good. The “American Journal of Research Communication (AJRC)” has been discussed before here on RG https://www.researchgate.net/post/What_is_impact_factor_of_American_Journal_of_Research_Communication_AJRC and the journal “International Journal of Multidisciplinary Research and Development” is for example mentioned in the stand-alone version of potential predatory journals (https://beallslist.net/standalone-journals/).

I mention this because I would advice you to choose a more internationally recognized journal for your next publication. My point is that publishing in a predatory (or in other terms somewhat dubious) journal is not good for your CV but if in the coming years you end up with let’s say ten papers of which eight of them are good then the two indicated papers are perceived not that problematic anymore.

So, taking this into account I would choose (in your case) another journal. Choose a journal that is for example indexed in Scopus (see enclosed file or search here https://www.scopus.com/sources.uri?zone=TopNavBar&origin=searchbasic ).

Best regards.

Dear Abdirasak Sharif Ali

With opinion of prof. Dr. Rob Keller

Best regards.

prof Rob Keller Thanks for the insightful remarks.