Evaluation Policy
How an evaluation is carried out, who decides the result, and what the publisher can expect.
Methodology
Every evaluation uses the Citeveriq methodology in force when the application is accepted. The methodology version is recorded on the report and certificate. The criteria draw on widely recognised principles of good publishing practice, such as the Principles of Transparency and Best Practice in Scholarly Publishing published by COPE, DOAJ, OASPA and WAME, but the weights and score bands are Citeveriq’s own.
Evidence
We assess what a reader can verify: the journal’s website and published policies, a sample of recent articles, identifier and metadata records, and documents the publisher sends us. Each mark is recorded with the reason and the evidence used. Claims we cannot verify receive no credit.
How results are produced
An AI system drafts a mark and a reason for each criterion from the evidence. A Citeveriq reviewer then checks the draft, any concerns raised, and the mandatory checks, and approves, corrects or returns it. No result is published without human approval.
Mandatory checks include a verifiable journal identity, a genuine editorial board, and the absence of serious publication-ethics failures. A journal that fails a mandatory check is not approved, whatever its total score.
Timelines and communication
Evaluations usually take two to four weeks after payment. If we need more evidence we will ask; the clock pauses until you reply. If no reply arrives within 30 days, we complete the evaluation on the evidence available.
Results and reports
The publisher receives the full report. The public profile shows the score, classification, methodology version and date. A certificate is issued when the score is at least 7.50 out of 10 and all mandatory checks pass.
Results reflect the journal at the time of evaluation and are valid for 12 months unless withdrawn earlier under the certificate policy.
Integrity
Payment does not influence results. Reviewers are not paid per approval, and staff who sell services cannot change scores. Reviewers declare conflicts of interest and do not assess journals they are connected with. See independence and conflicts of interest.