Page 14 - E-BOOK PULSE@FASS ISU NO.02/2023

R E S E A R C H @ F A S S

Please briefly describe the indexing process, including consecutive years. This recognition is a testament to our
challenges if any. journal’s exceptional quality and impact within the social
science research landscape in Malaysia and the region. It is
Abrizah: When we embarked on the journey of getting MJLIS
indexed, we were well aware of the importance of meeting worth noting that MJLIS is the only social science journal in
stringent quality criteria and undergoing rigorous evaluation the country indexed in WoS, and the only SSCI-indexed LIS
processes. We understood that establishing a strong English journal coming from an Asian country.
reputation for the journal was crucial to our success. It was a
challenging task to demonstrate the impact of the journal and Aside from the distinction and recognition associated with
earn the trust and recognition of the scholarly community. the CREAM Award, there is also a monetary reward attached
However, we were fortunate that during that period, the to this achievement. This also serves as a strong motivator.
number of LIS journals covered in WoS was limited, and The indexation of the journal in library databases such as
Scopus had just been founded in 2004. This also worked in EBSCO also brings financial advantages. The specific
our favour. agreements and policies of these indexing databases entail
royalties. Such financial benefits play a vital role in ensuring
the long-term sustainability and growth of the journal and its
Building the reputation of MJLIS required a consistent track
record of publishing influential research. It was not an affiliated department. Reputed and esteemed commercial
overnight achievement but rather a time-consuming publishers have shown interest in publishing MJLIS.
endeavour. We were fortunate to receive notable
contributions, especially from China, Taiwan, India and This recognition demonstrates the value and reputation that
Pakistan, which significantly enriched the content of the MJLIS has garnered within the scholarly community.
journal. These contributions played a crucial role in Moreover, we have recently received a noteworthy offer from
establishing the impact and influence of MJLIS within the LIS an international commercial publisher to take over the
community in the Asia Pacific. journal, with the proposed amount being $250,000. This
highlights the recognition and potential value associated
with MJLIS.
Furthermore, the active involvement of our editorial board
members as authors in other indexed WoS LIS journals added What are the future plans for your journal in terms of
to the overall strength and appeal of MJLIS. Their indexing and upgrades?
contributions further enhanced the reputation and standing
of our journal. Abrizah: We will continue the emphasis on the high standard
and quality of the articles, rigorous peer review, ethical
What advantages or benefits have you experienced as a publishing practices, and strong editorial invovlement. This
result of your journal being indexed? ensures that the journal consistently publishes high-quality
Abrizah: One of the notable benefits is the influx of and impactful research.
submissions from various parts of the world and high-quality
papers from prolific authors in the field of LIS, particularly Looking ahead, we have exciting plans for MJLIS. Our next
bibliometrics. For example, Ronald Rousseau, Leo Egghe and step is to establish an Online First platform, enabling early
Fred Ye. I believe our journal’s indexation status has attracted access to articles for citation purposes. This platform will
top researchers and experts to contribute their work, resulting allow researchers and readers to access and cite articles
in a richer and more diverse range of articles. before their official publication in a print or the finalised
online issue.
Furthermore, the reputation of our department has been
positively impacted by the journal’s success. We have To streamline the submission and review process, we are
consistently been listed among the top 50 in the QS World implementing a robust Journal Management System. This
University Ranking by Subject, for Library & Information system will provide authors with an efficient online
Management for five consecutive years, ranking 27 in the submission and review platform, fully automated to enhance
year 2023. This recognition highlights the department’s the overall workflow and speed up the publication timeline.
commitment to excellence in research and scholarship,
andenhances our standing within the academic community. In line with our commitment to excellence, we are also
exploring partnerships with reputable international
Additionally, the editors of MJLIS have gained recognition publishers. This collaboration will involve publishing MJLIS
and respect from their peers in the field. Their involvement in on behalf of Universiti Malaya, ensuring wider visibility and
the journal’s success has further elevated their professional accessibility to a global audience. By leveraging the expertise
reputation and positioned them as experts in the subject area and resources of a reputed publisher, we aim to enhance the
internationally. journal’s reach, impact, and overall publishing standards.

In addition, we have also been honoured with the prestigious Furthermore, we are actively working on enhancing the peer
Current Research in Malaysia(CREAM) Award for five review process by incorporating comprehensive peer review

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