Q4 Journals - Medicine
The Quartile ranking is a way of classifying journals based on their SJR Score within a subject category. Journals in the top 25% are Q1, the next 25% are Q2, and so on through Q4.
Use the table below to browse journals by quartile and explore other metrics such as the Impact Factor and H-Index.
| # | Journals List | Quartile | SJR Score | H-Index | Impact Factor |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Indian Journal of Cancer | Q4 | 0.246 | 42 | 1 |
| 2 | Indian Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine | Q4 | 0.221 | 33 | 0.9 |
| 3 | Indian Journal of Forensic Medicine and Pathology | Q4 | 0.103 | 4 | 0.732 |
| 4 | Indian Journal of Rheumatology | Q4 | 0.211 | 15 | 0.7 |
| 5 | National Medical Journal of India | Q4 | 0.169 | 46 | 0.4 |
| 6 | African Journal of Paediatric Surgery | Q4 | 0.126 | 20 | |
| 7 | Annals of Blood | Q4 | 0.248 | 4 | |
| 8 | Indian Journal of Medical Ethics | Q4 | 0.215 | 18 | |
| 9 | Donald School Journal of Ultrasound in Obstetrics and Gynecology | Q4 | 0.214 | 17 | |
| 10 | Oman Journal of Ophthalmology | Q4 | 0.214 | 20 | |
| 11 | Asian Journal of Transfusion Science | Q4 | 0.210 | 26 | |
| 12 | Journal of Krishna Institute of Medical Sciences University | Q4 | 0.209 | 12 | |
| 13 | International Journal of Epilepsy | Q4 | 0.202 | 6 | |
| 14 | Indian Journal of Leprosy | Q4 | 0.180 | 22 |
What is the Journal Quartile?
A journal quartile classifies journals into four tiers (Q1, Q2, Q3, Q4) within a specific subject category, based on their SJR Score (or sometimes Impact Factor). Quartiles help researchers quickly assess where a journal stands compared to peers in the same field — not against unrelated disciplines.
Q1, Q2, Q3, Q4 Explained
| Quartile | Position | Quality Indication |
|---|---|---|
| Q1 | Top 25% | Highest-impact, most prestigious in the field |
| Q2 | 25%–50% | Strong reputation, frequently cited |
| Q3 | 50%–75% | Solid mid-tier journals |
| Q4 | Bottom 25% | Emerging or niche journals |
How are Quartiles Determined?
SCImago ranks all journals in a subject category by their SJR score, then divides them into four equal-sized groups:
- The top 25% = Q1 (e.g., if there are 200 journals in “Medicine”, the top 50 by SJR are Q1).
- The next 25% = Q2 (positions 51–100).
- The next 25% = Q3.
- The bottom 25% = Q4.
A journal can have different quartiles in different subject categories — e.g., Q1 in “Cardiology” but Q2 in “Internal Medicine” if it’s indexed in both.
Why Quartiles Matter for Authors
- Tenure & promotion: Many universities require Q1 or Q2 publications.
- Funding: Grant agencies often weigh Q1 papers more heavily.
- Visibility: Q1 journals reach larger, more engaged audiences.
- Career growth: Early-career researchers benefit from Q1/Q2 papers on their CV.
Quartile FAQ
What does Q1 mean?
Q1 means the journal is in the top 25% of its subject category by SJR score. It’s the highest tier and typically the most competitive to publish in.
Is a Q1 journal always better than a Q2?
Generally yes — but a niche Q2 journal closely aligned with your scope may have higher acceptance rates and a more targeted audience than a broad Q1 journal where your work would be one of many.
How do I find Q1 journals in my subject?
Use our Q1 Medicine page (replace “medicine” with your subject) or the Quartile Journal Finder.
Can a journal change quartiles?
Yes — quartiles are recalculated annually. Journals can move up or down based on changes in citations and SJR scores.
Tips for Targeting the Right Quartile
- Be honest about your work: If your paper is incremental, Q3/Q4 may give a faster acceptance and still build your record.
- Match scope first, quartile second: A perfect-fit Q2 journal beats a poor-fit Q1.
- Use multiple metrics: Combine quartile with H-Index and acceptance rate.
- Avoid predatory journals claiming “Q1 status” outside SCImago’s actual ranking.
