The classification of scientific journals is an activity carried out by the National Agency for the Evaluation of Universities and Research Institutes (ANVUR) for the purpose of calculating indicators for the National Scientific Qualification (ASN). Journals may be classified as scientific or scientific and class A.

The classification applies exclusively to the fields of the humanities and social sciences: 

• Architecture (CUN/VQR Area 8a)
• Antiquities, Philological-Literary and Historical-Artistic sciences (Area 10)
• Historical, Philosophical and Educational sciences (Area 11a)
• Legal sciences (Area 12)
• Economic and Statistical sciences (Area 13)
• Political and Social sciences (Area 14)

CYCLICAL NATURE

The classification of scientific journals is an ongoing activity, which includes a biannual window during which journal editors and interested scholars may submit an application for classification, either to obtain recognition as a scientific journal or to request assignment to class A.

MAIN EVALUATION CRITERIA

The evaluation is based on the following criteria:

• Eligibility for evaluation: Scientific journals must be continuous, identifiable and citable, and must publish at least five scientific articles per year. They must have an ISSN code and be listed in national or international directories. Journals that are exclusively bibliographic, informational, professional, promotional, popular science, or that publish only internal contributions are not eligible for evaluation.
• General requirements: These concern regularity, accessibility and transparency, composition of editorial boards, code of ethics, peer review, and absence of predatory practices.
• Disciplinary requirements: These pertain to the dissemination within the relevant scientific community and the scholarly nature of the published contributions.
   

WORKING GROUP AND EVALUATION EXPERTS

The evaluation is carried out by the ANVUR Governing Board with the support of a Working Group, assisted by external experts.

The evaluation process for scientific journals consists of several phases:

1. Opening of the submission window during which interested parties may formally apply through a web platform.
2. In-depth analysis of the scientific journals based on peer review and predefined criteria, including dissemination within the relevant scientific community, scientific relevance, and editorial quality.
3. Formulation of recommendations by the Working Group regarding the submitted applications, followed by evaluation by the ANVUR Governing Board for the purpose of updating the lists of scientific journals and class A journals.
4. Publication of the updated lists on the ANVUR website.

In addition, ANVUR conducts a review of the lists at least once every five years to ensure that scientific journals continue to meet the necessary requirements for classification and reflect the current state of the scientific landscape.

This rigorous and transparent process ensures that only high-quality journals are recognised and classified by ANVUR, thereby contributing to maintaining high standards in scientific research.

INVOLVED PARTIES

• Publishers, journal editors, scholars or scientific societies: submit formal applications for the recognition of the scientific status or class A classification of a given journal.
• Working Group (WG): composed of experts appointed by the ANVUR Governing Board, conducts the evaluation.
• External reviewers: support the experts in the evaluation process, based on specific expertise.
• Evaluation assistants: assess compliance with general requirements, ensure communication between ANVUR offices and the experts, and support the work of external reviewers.
• ANVUR offices: provide administrative and procedural support.
• ANVUR Governing Board: evaluates the applications, taking into account the opinion of the Working Group, from which it may deviate by providing appropriate justification.