Brazil is one of the world’s leading countries in agricultural production and research. From soybeans and coffee to livestock and sustainable farming, Brazil has made significant contributions to global food security. To support and evaluate this research, the country uses a journal classification system known as Qualis Capes. This blog explains how Qualis Capes indexing works and why it has become increasingly important for agricultural researchers in Brazil.
What is Qualis Capes?
Qualis Capes is a journal evaluation and classification system developed by CAPES (Coordination for the Improvement of Higher Education Personnel), a government agency under Brazil’s Ministry of Education. Its main purpose is to assess the quality of academic journals used in postgraduate research.
Journals are evaluated based on several factors, including:
- Scientific impact
- Peer review standards
- Editorial board quality
- International visibility
They are then classified into quality tiers: A1, A2, B1, B2, B3, B4, B5, and C
Higher categories such as A1 and A2 represent stronger international impact, while B-category journals remain respected and valuable, especially within specific research areas.
Why Qualis Capes Matters in Agricultural Research:
In Brazil, academic and research success is closely tied to Qualis Capes rankings. For researchers in agriculture and environmental sciences, publishing in journals with strong Qualis ratings leads to better visibility, more funding opportunities, and greater academic recognition.
Key reasons why Qualis Capes is crucial in agricultural research:
- Academic Recognition: Publishing in a highly-ranked journal enhances a researcher's credibility.
- Postgraduate Program Evaluation: CAPES evaluates master’s and doctoral programs based on the quality of journals in which research is published.
- Funding and Grants: Projects published in Qualis-ranked journals are more likely to receive funding.
- Collaboration: High Qualis rankings can attract partnerships with national and international institutions.
How Qualis Capes Influences Publishing Decisions:
Brazilian scholars often choose journals not only based on the subject fit but also on their Qualis Capes rating. In agricultural research fields such as agronomy, soil science, horticulture, and environmental management, journal selection is closely aligned with CAPES standards.
To meet these expectations, journals are continually improving their editorial practices by:
- Implementing peer review systems
- Publishing in English to increase international reach
- Adopting open access models
- Enhancing visibility through indexing in Scopus, Web of Science, and DOAJ
The Role of Agriculture Journal IJOEAR in Qualis Indexing:
The International Journal of Environmental and Agriculture Research (IJOEAR) is currently indexed in the Qualis Capes system under the B category. This makes it a valuable option for Brazilian researchers working in areas like:
- Agronomy
- Crop science
- Soil health
- Agricultural biotechnology
- Sustainable farming
IJOEAR combines peer-reviewed content, open access publishing, and global visibility—making it a practical and recognized platform for researchers seeking a balance between quality and accessibility.
Publishing Challenges and Trends:
While Qualis Capes encourages high-quality research, it also introduces several challenges:
- Pressure to publish in A-category journals
- Limited availability of A-ranked journals in some agricultural subfields
- Requirement for English-language publication in top-tier journals
- Ongoing changes to Qualis evaluation criteria
Despite these challenges, many researchers choose B-category journals like IJOEAR to fulfill academic requirements while ensuring timely and relevant publication of their work.
Qualis Capes indexing is shaping the future of agricultural research publishing in Brazil. For researchers and postgraduate students, understanding this system is essential when selecting journals. Journals in the B category, like IJOEAR, continue to support quality research by providing accessible and recognized publishing opportunities in an evolving academic landscape.
