Level categories
The Publication Forum’s expert panels place publication channels at level 1 or 2. If the publication channel does not meet the minimum criteria for level 1, it is placed in the class 'other identified publication channels'. The Forum assesses scholarly publication series, conference proceedings and book publishers.
Level 1
Level 1 is the basic level. It comprises peer-reviewed publication channels that are specialised in the publication of scientific research outcomes, comply with peer review practices and have an editorial board of experts of the discipline. The majority of all publication channels classified by the Publication Forum are placed at level 1.
Level 2
Level 2 contains a limited number of leading publication channels of their disciplines that are widely appreciated. They are mainly international scientific journals, conferences and book publishers. In human sciences, leading Finnish and Swedish language publication channels can also be placed at level 2.
Other identified publication channels
Other identified publication channels are channels identified by the Publication Forum that have not been approved for levels 1 or 2. This is not a JUFO level.
Determination of levels
The level of a publication channel is determined by the classification valid in the year in which the book or article is published. If the publication channel remains unclassified in the year of publication, the first level assigned to it later will be used. The levels are based on an overall assessment made by the Publication Forum's Expert Panels. The panels consist of researchers and experts from the Finnish research community, who assess the publication channels of their fields based on common assessment criteria.
The assessment history of publication channels can be viewed in the JUFO portal.
Assessment criteria for levels
The Publication Forum's Expert Panels assess publication channels as a whole on the basis of common assessment criteria. The assessment factors in such as the peer review process of the publication channel, editorial practices, scientific quality and status in the channel's field of science. The assessment additionally considers different disciplines' publication methods and publication cultures, ensuring that publication channels can be assessed from their own starting points.
Level 1 criteria
Only scientific publication channels can be placed at level 1. A publication channel refers to book publishers, conferences and printed and digital publication series that specialise in publishing scientific research outcomes. The publication channel must have an editorial board composed of experts, and its scientific publications must undergo a peer review.
The publication channel may also contain non-refereed content, such as reviews, comments or handbooks. This does not mean that the channel cannot be rated, as long as the research publications undergo an appropriate peer review.
The following level 1 criteria are looked at in the assessment:
- the publication channel has a registered ISSN or ISBN
- the publication channel website contains a transparent description of the editorial board and the peer review process
- the publication channel specialises in publishing scientific research outcomes
- the publication channel's editorial board consists of experts representing the relevant field of science
- scientific publications undergo a peer review that covers the entire manuscript
- the publication channel is central from the viewpoint of the international or Finnish research community in its field of science
- the objective of the publication channel is to promote and ensure scientific quality through careful and reliable editorial and peer review practices.
Level 2 criteria
Leading and widely appreciated publication channels of disciplines are placed at level 2. Each panel has a quota within which it can select the publication channels to be placed at the highest level. The objective of the quotas is to ensure that different disciplines' publication structures are accounted for equally.
When assessing international publication channels, the panels examine such factors as the respect enjoyed by the publication channel in the research community, the internationality of the editorial board and the authors, and whether the most significant research outcomes of the field are published through the channel. In Humanities and Social Sciences, leading Finnish and Swedish language publication channels whose significance to the national research community is particularly high can also be placed at level 2.
Special assessment situations
The panels always assess publication channels as a whole. Even if the publication channel met the formal criteria for level 1, it can be placed in the class 'other identified publication channels' if there are significant shortcomings in the reliability, publication practices or scientific quality of its operation. For example, this can be done in case of publication channels that publish research articles for a fee without a proper peer review.
New publication channels can also initially be placed in the *other identified publication channels* category if there is not yet sufficient evidence of their operation to carry out the assessment. Such publication channels will be assessed on subsequent assessment rounds.
Further information
For more information on the assessment principles of the Publication Forum, see the manual for panel members (in Finnish). The publication channel levels, assessment history and other information are available in the JUFO portal.
See the Manual for panel members (in Finnish)