Bandung, November 25-26, 2024 – SEAMEO CECCEP organized a Focus Group Discussion (FGD) attended by SEAMEO CECCEP staff and internship students, focusing on International Journal Indexing and scientific journal management using the Open Journal System (OJS). The event aimed to provide insights and a deeper understanding of the processes involved in scientific journal publication, indexing, and the importance of journal management systems in enhancing publication quality. The FGD was designed to help participants comprehend how to improve journal credibility and manage scientific publications more efficiently.
On the first day, the FGD began with a presentation by Ade Dwi Utami, S.Pd., M.Pd., Ph.D., who reviewed journal indexing, particularly through the Directory of Open Access Journals (DOAJ) platform. Ade explained the steps required for journal publication, starting from completing administrative documents, editorial checks, and reviewer evaluations. It was emphasized that reviewers played a crucial role in assessing the feasibility of articles before they were accepted for publication. Additionally, Ade highlighted the importance of aligning articles with the journal's scope, as errors in research methods could result in rejection.
Ade further elaborated on the differences between open access and closed access, as well as article processing charges (APC). She stressed the need to carefully select journals since not all journals are legally indexed, either in Indonesia or internationally. To prepare a journal for indexing, several key elements are required, such as open access policies, clear editorial processes (peer review), an editorial board, and copyright and licensing provisions. Ade also provided guidelines on how to submit journals and check their credibility through Scimago or Scopus to avoid predatory or unauthorized journals.
The second day continued with a session on the Open Journal System (OJS) presented by Asep Erlan Maulana, S.Kom., M.Kom. Asep explained the six main stages in managing scientific journals using OJS, from article submission to publication. These stages included submission, distribution, manuscript editing, and finally, publication. He highlighted the vital roles of all actors involved in the OJS, such as authors, editors, and reviewers, and how the system facilitates more effective coordination among them.
With improved mastery of the OJS, the SEAMEO CECCEP journal management team is expected to enhance the credibility and efficiency of scientific journal management while meeting national accreditation standards. Participants were also introduced to the advanced features of OJS, such as visitor statistics, business email utilization, and the implementation of journal copyright and licensing.
This training served as a strategic step for SEAMEO CECCEP to continue developing sustainable scientific journals, improving publication quality, and ensuring that published journals meet internationally recognized standards. The FGD also provided an opportunity for participants to discuss and directly address common challenges in scientific journal management.
Share This News