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SJR Ranking - Political Science And International Relations
Are you looking for a SJR Journals Ranking? Then you are in the right place.
Here, we provide an updated list of scholarly, peer-reviewed journals by ranking.
SJR (SCImago Journal Rank) is a metric used to rank scientific journals based on their citation impact and prestige. It is calculated using a similar methodology to the impact factor but incorporates additional factors such as the number of citations received from different sources and the interconnectedness of journals within a citation network.
For the most recent list of SJR Journals Ranking, see the list below.
What is SJR (SCImago Journal Rank)?
The SCImago Journal Rank (SJR) is a prestige metric for academic journals developed by the SCImago research group based on the Scopus database. Unlike the simple Impact Factor which counts all citations equally, SJR weighs citations based on the prestige of the citing journal — a citation from a top-tier journal counts more than one from a low-tier journal.
How is SJR Calculated?
SJR uses an algorithm similar to Google’s PageRank: each journal is assigned a score based on (a) the number of weighted citations it receives in a given year, (b) divided by the number of articles it published in the previous three years. Self-citations are limited to 33%, and the prestige of the citing source is recursively factored in. The result is a value typically between 0.0 and 100+, where higher = more prestigious.
SJR vs Impact Factor — What’s the Difference?
| Metric | Source | Citation Window | Prestige-Weighted? |
|---|---|---|---|
| SJR | Scopus / SCImago | 3 years | ✅ Yes |
| Impact Factor (JCR) | Web of Science / Clarivate | 2 years | ❌ No |
| H-Index | Scopus / WOS / Google Scholar | Lifetime | ❌ No |
Why SJR Matters for Researchers
- Quality signal: SJR is a quick, evidence-based way to gauge a journal’s standing in its field.
- Open and free: SCImago Portal is free to access — unlike JCR which requires a Web of Science subscription.
- Field normalization: SJR is normalized within a subject category, making cross-discipline comparison fairer.
- Used in evaluation: Many institutions (especially in Europe and Latin America) use SJR for promotion, grant and tenure decisions.
SJR Frequently Asked Questions
What is a good SJR score?
An SJR score above 1.0 generally indicates an above-average journal. Top-tier journals (Nature, Science, NEJM) often have SJR > 10. Discipline-specific top journals may have SJR > 3.0.
Is SJR better than Impact Factor?
Neither is “better” outright. SJR weights prestige and is free; Impact Factor is simpler and more widely cited in academia. Best practice: use multiple metrics (SJR, IF, H-Index) together.
How often is SJR updated?
SCImago publishes SJR scores annually, typically each summer for the previous year’s data.
Can I publish in a high-SJR journal as an early-career researcher?
Yes — but the acceptance rate at top-SJR journals is often low (5–15%). Use our Advanced Journal Finder to find high-SJR journals matched to your subject and access preferences.
Tips for Choosing a High-SJR Journal
- Match scope precisely — high-SJR journals reject submissions outside their stated focus.
- Read 5 recent papers in your shortlisted journal to understand methodology expectations.
- Check turnaround time — some high-SJR journals have 6+ month review cycles.
- Combine SJR with Quartile — Q1 journals in your subject area are usually safest bets.
- Avoid predatory journals claiming inflated SJR scores.
