Why is it difficult to publish humanities and social studies in international journals (Scopes)?

Publishing humanities and social studies research in international journals, especially those indexed in databases like Scopus, can indeed present certain challenges. Several factors contribute to the perceived difficulty in this regard:

Language Barrier:English is the dominant language in international academic publishing. Many high-impact journals and indexing databases, including Scopus, prioritize English-language content. This can pose challenges for researchers conducting studies in other languages.

Global Audience:Journals indexed in international databases often aim to reach a global audience. English is considered a lingua franca in academia, facilitating broader readership and collaboration. Researchers who publish in languages other than English may face limitations in terms of visibility and impact.

Indexing Criteria:Indexing databases like Scopus have specific criteria for inclusion, and these criteria may favor journals that predominantly publish in English. Additionally, the review and selection processes for inclusion in such databases may be tailored to meet the expectations of an international readership.

Peer Review Challenges:Journals aiming for international recognition often follow rigorous peer-review processes. Finding qualified reviewers who are proficient in the language of the manuscript can be a challenge for non-English submissions.

Access to Resources:Researchers in humanities and social studies may face resource constraints, including limited access to English-language training, academic writing support, and translation services. This can affect the quality of manuscripts submitted for publication.

Editorial Policies:Editorial policies of international journals, including those indexed in databases like Scopus, may prioritize certain types of research methodologies and theoretical frameworks that align with the expectations of a global readership.

Cultural and Contextual Differences:Humanities and social studies often involve research that is deeply rooted in specific cultural and contextual settings. International journals may sometimes have a bias toward research that is more easily relatable or transferable across diverse cultural contexts.

Tips for Overcoming Challenges:

Collaborate with researchers who are proficient in English for language editing and review.
Seek support from language editing services to enhance the quality of writing.
Consider submitting to reputable journals that specialize in non-English content or have sections dedicated to such research.
Translate key findings or abstracts into English to enhance visibility.
Engage with international conferences to present research and network with scholars in the field.

While challenges exist, efforts to bridge language and accessibility gaps, coupled with advocacy for diverse linguistic contributions, can contribute to a more inclusive and global academic landscape.

Md. Al-Amin

Publishing humanities and social studies research in international journals may be perceived as challenging for several reasons, and it's important to note that the challenges can vary based on specific fields, regions, and individual circumstances. Here are some common reasons why researchers in humanities and social studies may face difficulties in publishing in international journals:

Diverse Nature of Research:Humanities and social studies cover a wide range of topics and methodologies, making it challenging to find journals that align with the specific focus of a given research project.

Language and Writing Style:The expectations regarding language and writing style can vary between disciplines. Some international journals may have a preference for certain writing styles or specific terminology that might not align with the conventions in humanities and social studies.

Interdisciplinary Nature:Humanities and social studies often involve interdisciplinary approaches, making it challenging to find journals that accept and appreciate research that spans multiple disciplines.

Publication Bias:Some international journals may have a bias towards publishing research with a strong empirical or quantitative focus, while humanities and social studies often involve qualitative or theoretical research, which may be perceived as less "publishable" in certain journals.

Regional Relevance:Research topics in humanities and social studies may have regional or cultural relevance, and journals with an international scope may prioritize research with broader global impact.

Review Process Challenges:The peer-review process in international journals may not always be well-suited for certain types of research in the humanities and social studies. Reviewers may not have the necessary expertise or understanding of the context and methods used in these disciplines.

Publishing Infrastructure:The infrastructure and support for publishing in the humanities and social studies might be less developed compared to some scientific and technical fields, making it challenging for researchers to navigate the publication process.

Impact Factor Bias:Some researchers and institutions place a strong emphasis on the impact factor of journals. Humanities and social studies journals might not always have as high impact factors as journals in other fields, affecting perceptions of the prestige of these publications.

Interpretive Nature of Research:Humanities and social studies research often involves interpretive approaches, and the subjective nature of interpretation may be perceived as less objective compared to empirical research in other fields.

Researchers in humanities and social studies can explore various strategies to navigate these challenges, such as seeking out interdisciplinary journals, understanding the expectations of specific journals, collaborating with researchers from other disciplines, and engaging with international networks to increase visibility and impact. Additionally, some specialized journals and publishers focus specifically on humanities and social sciences research.

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