Articles should be between 6000 and 8000 words in length. This includes all text, for example, the structured abstract, references, all text in tables, and figures and appendices.
Please allow 250 words for each figure or table.
Thursday, May 21, 2026
Wednesday, May 20, 2026
Thailand medical tourism
In 2018, Thailand stood at the peak of its medical tourism boom. Millions of international patients travel to the country each year, drawn by internationally trained doctors, modern hospitals, and treatment costs often significantly lower than in Western markets.
Then the pandemic paused global travel.
Today, that momentum has returned. By 2024 to 2025, the estimated number of foreign patients visiting private hospitals in Thailand reached around 3 million, approximately 88% of its 2018 peak. According to analysts, Thailand’s medical and wellness tourism market was worth US$31.5 billion in 2024, with projections suggesting it could more than triple by 2034, growing at a compound annual rate of 13%.
While major hospitals remain central to this growth, cosmetic surgery has emerged as one of the most resilient and expanding segments of the recovery.
Unlike urgent medical care, aesthetic procedures are elective. Patients travel not only for treatment, but for transformation, combining surgery with recovery in a destination known for hospitality, comfort, and privacy. In this evolving landscape, smaller specialised clinics are playing an increasingly visible role.
One of them is Interplast Clinic in Bangkok.
As Thailand’s cosmetic surgery market regains international traffic, Interplast Clinic has officially launched One Safe Journey, a dedicated concierge programme designed specifically for overseas patients.Medical tourism is rarely just about surgery. It is about three interconnected elements: travel, medical care, and the overall experience of being abroad. The new programme recognises this reality.
One Safe Journey provides:
- Airport pick up on arrival
- Accommodation booking with selected partner hotels
- Post-surgery visits from the clinic’s medical team directly at the hotels
- Arranging follow-up appointments
- Transport between the hotel and the clinic for appointments
Dr Theerapong Poonyakariyagorn, Founder of Interplast Clinic, said…
“Many of our patients travel to Bangkok because they want a level of surgical expertise and outcomes they may not find at home. If someone is travelling that far for surgery, we believe the responsibility extends beyond the operating room.”
Accommodation options include nearby 4 and 5-star properties such as Radisson Hotel Chateau de Bangkok and Four Points by Sheraton Bangkok Ploenchit, both located conveniently close to the clinic. Patients can recover in a comfortable hotel environment, with nursing support provided directly by Interplast Clinic’s medical team.
As Thailand reasserts its position as Southeast Asia’s medical hub, the next phase of growth may not just belong to large hospitals, but to specialised providers who understand that for today’s patient, care begins at the airport, and continues long after the surgery ends.
Tuesday, May 19, 2026
Scopus CSAB Journal Removal Criteria
May 18, 2026
https://futurity-publishing.com/how-scopus-removes-journals/
https://academicjournalreview.blogspot.com/2023/04/scopus-criteria-for-journal-being.html
Most
researchers treat Scopus indexing as a stable signal. If a journal appears in
the database, it must be safe to publish there. This assumption is wrong — and
increasingly costly.
In
2025 alone, Scopus discontinued 56 journals. Some of them had been
indexed for over a decade. Some were published by major international houses.
Some held Q2 status with strong percentile rankings until the moment they were
removed.
Understanding
how Scopus actually makes these decisions is not just useful. For anyone
preparing a dissertation defence, seeking academic promotion, or managing a
publication strategy, it is essential.
If
you are still in the process of choosing where to submit, see our guide
on how
to find a Q1–Q2 Scopus journal that actually accepts your paper.
Who
Makes the Decision: The CSAB
Scopus
does not remove journals arbitrarily. All inclusion and removal decisions are
made by the Content Selection and Advisory Board (CSAB) — an
internationally composed group of scientists, researchers, and librarians. The
board includes 17 Subject Chairs, each responsible for a specific academic
domain.
Elsevier
formally states it follows independent CSAB advice. At the same time, Elsevier
explicitly reserves the right to remove or re-evaluate any title without prior
notice — and has exercised this right in documented cases. For context on how
this evaluation process works at the acceptance stage, see how
Scopus evaluates and accepts journals.
Four
Pathways That Trigger Re-Evaluation
A
journal does not end up under review by accident. There are four distinct
mechanisms:
1.
Underperformance on Annual Quantitative Benchmarks
Every
indexed journal is measured annually against three relative metrics, compared
to peer journals in the same subject field:
Self-citation
rate must not be substantially higher than field peers
Total
citation rate must not be substantially lower than field peers
CiteScore
must not be substantially lower than field peers
If
a journal fails all three benchmarks for two consecutive years, it
is automatically escalated to CSAB re-evaluation. Failing in year one triggers
a pre-warning; failing to improve by year two triggers a full review.
2.
Radar — Automated Anomaly Detection
Since
2017, Elsevier has operated a proprietary algorithm called Radar that
scans all indexed journals on a quarterly basis — not just
annually. Radar monitors for signals including:
Sudden,
unexplained surges in article volume
Self-citation
rates exceeding 200% compared to similar journals in the field
Coordinated
mutual citation rings between journals
Unexplained
shifts in geographic author concentration
Coercion
of authors to cite editorial board members
Acceptance
patterns inconsistent with genuine peer review
Abrupt
scope shifts
Abnormally
low abstract and full-text access rates
When
Radar flags a journal, it proceeds directly to CSAB review — there is no
warning window.
3.
Publication Concerns Raised Externally
The
research community, publishers, institutions, and individual academics can
formally report concerns to Scopus. Validated reports also bypass the warning
stage and go directly to CSAB review.
4.
Continuous Curation by the CSAB
The
board conducts ongoing editorial review independent of the other three
pathways. Journals can be flagged for future re-assessment at any point.
The
Re-Evaluation Process: What Actually Happens
Metric-based
cases receive
a pre-warning. The publisher is notified of which benchmarks were not met and
given one year to show improvement in at least one metric. If no improvement
occurs, a full CSAB re-evaluation follows.
Radar
and publication concern cases receive no warning period. They
enter the pipeline immediately.
Once
a journal is under formal re-evaluation:
Content
flow is suspended —
no new articles are indexed during the review period. This is one of the
earliest observable signals.
The
CSAB evaluates the journal against the same five criteria used for all new
title submissions: journal policy, content quality, journal standing,
publishing regularity, and online availability.
The
board requests relevant information from the publisher.
The
outcome is one of three:
A
discontinued journal cannot re-apply for Scopus indexing for five years.
Previously
indexed content generally remains in Scopus as part of the scientific record.
However, in cases of severe, proven misconduct, Elsevier has removed all
previously indexed content — as occurred in 2025 with the Science of
Law journal, where fabricated editorial board members and falsified
publication history were confirmed.
What
"Publication Concerns" Actually Means
“Publication
Concerns” is the most frequently cited reason for discontinuation across all
years. In practice, it covers a specific set of documented violations:
Absence
of genuine peer review — articles accepted without substantive
editorial evaluation
Citation
manipulation —
inflated self-citation, editorial board coercion, coordinated citation
rings
Plagiarism
and self-plagiarism at
scale
Fabricated
editorial infrastructure — non-existent or fake board members
Scope
mismatch —
consistent publication of content outside the stated subject area
Abnormal
article volume growth
Predatory
fee-seeking without
legitimate editorial services
Aggressive
mass solicitation of
manuscripts
Misrepresentation of indexing
status or credential
Research data: Analysis of 317 journals discontinued for Publication Concerns found that over 60% were removed for poor editorial practices, including predatory behaviour. Non-university publishers wereapproximately 11 times more likely to be discontinued than university publishers. Median SJR at the time of discontinuation was 0.17 — placing most removed journals in Q3 or Q4.
For
a detailed breakdown of how predatory journals disguise these practices, see
our guide on how
predatory journals trick researchers — real cases and red flags.
What
the Data Shows: 2022–2025 Removal Patterns
The
pace of removals has increased. In March 2023, the cumulative total of
discontinued titles since Scopus launched stood at 782. By the end of 2025, 56
titles had been removed in that year alone — with monthly updates averaging 7
to 12 removals.
Several
patterns are consistent across this period:
Publisher-cluster
removals are increasing
When
one journal from a publisher is flagged, others from the same house frequently
appear in the same or subsequent update cycles. Multiple titles from the same
Indonesian publisher were removed in a single March 2025 update.
Long-indexed
journals are not immune
Journals
with 10 to 15 years of indexing history have been discontinued. Length of
indexing provides no protection if editorial standards deteriorate.
Radar
and Outlier Behaviour designations are becoming dominant
In
2024–2025, automated detection flagged an increasing share of removed titles —
including journals published by Elsevier itself.
The
terminology is becoming less informative
As
of 2025–2026, Scopus has been replacing specific reason labels (Publication
Concerns, Radar, Outlier Behaviour) with broader terms such as “Discontinuation.” This
reduces visibility for authors trying to assess why a journal was
removed.
Warning
vs. Full Removal: The Practical Difference
The
key distinction is whether the trigger involves metric underperformance or proven
misconduct.
Metric
underperformance typically generates a warning and a 12-month improvement
window. The journal continues to be indexed during this period.
Radar
detection, confirmed publication concerns, or outlier behaviour patterns skip
the warning stage entirely. Content indexing is suspended immediately upon
entering CSAB review.
For
authors, this distinction matters for a practical reason: a journal can appear
active and indexed while simultaneously being under review. The suspension of
content flow is visible in the Scopus source record — but it requires knowing
where to look. For a wider perspective on how researchers are misled
before these signals become visible, see how
researchers get misled by journals that are ‘supposedly’ indexed in Scopus.
Conclusion
Scopus
journal removal is a structured, criteria-based process — not an unpredictable
event. The CSAB applies consistent evaluation standards. Radar monitors every
indexed journal every quarter. Publication concerns can be reported by anyone
in the research community.
What
makes journals vulnerable is always the same set of factors: editorial
shortcuts, metric manipulation, scope drift, and predatory volume growth. These
do not appear suddenly. They develop over time and leave observable signals
before the removal decision is made.
For
researchers and institutions, the implication is straightforward: formal
indexing status is a starting point for journal evaluation, not the conclusion
of it. The question is not only whether a journal is in Scopus today — but
whether it will still be there when it matters.
If
you are currently planning your publication timeline, the guide on how
long it really takes to publish in Scopus Q1–Q2 provides realistic
benchmarks for planning ahead.
SCOPUS DISCONTINUED/WOS/Q2-International Journal of Instruction (IJI)-CHF 550.00 (approx. $620 USD / €570 EUR as of March 2026)
Journal Name: International Journal of
Instruction
Submission need to know:
WOS only.
17 pages maximum (about 5,800 words).
TNR 10.
200 word abstract.
Submission site allows only 1 document (paper blinded).
Use the template.
APA.
CHF 550.00 (approx. $620 USD / €570 EUR as of March 2026)
JCR Quartile & Ranking
The journal holds a Q2 ranking in the Education & Educational Research category . This places it in the second quartile (25th–50th percentile) of journals in its field, indicating solid performance above the median but not yet in the top tier.
Impact Factor Trend
The journal's Impact Factor has shown consistent performance in recent years:
| Year | Impact Factor | Self-Citation Rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 (preliminary) | 1.545 | — |
| 2024 | 1.500 | 33.3% |
| 2023 | 1.900 | 47.4% |
| 2022 | 1.800 | 38.9% |
The 5-year average Impact Factor is 1.600 , which provides a more stable measure of the journal's long-term citation performance.
🔍 Key Observations
Positive Indicators:
Above-average Impact Factor: With a JIF of 1.545, the journal performs respectably in its category
Open Access: The journal has high open access availability (97.65% Gold OA), which can enhance article visibility and citations
Consistent Publication: Published four times per year with stable output
Areas for Consideration:
ESCI Status: While indexed in Web of Science, it is not yet in the more established SSCI (Social Sciences Citation Index)
Self-Citation Rate: Historical self-citation rates have been relatively high (33-47%), though the 2025 data shows 0% self-citations
Chinese Academy of Sciences Ranking: CAS places this journal in Category 3 (Education) and Category 4 (Education & Educational Research) , indicating less recognition in that specific system
💡 Comparison with International Journal on Studies in Education
| Metric | International Journal of Instruction | International Journal on Studies in Education |
|---|---|---|
| JCR Quartile | Q2 | Q3 |
| JCI Score | Not available | 1.22 |
| Impact Factor | 1.545 | Not applicable |
| Percentile | 25th–50th | 31.8% |
Based on available data, International Journal of Instruction performs better in terms of quartile ranking (Q2 vs. Q3) , indicating it sits in a higher relative position within its category. However, the absence of a JCI score for this journal makes direct comparison less precise than comparing two JCI values.
📌 Summary
The International Journal of Instruction is a Q2, ESCI-indexed journal in Education with a 2025 Impact Factor of 1.545. It offers free open access publication and shows consistent performance, though its ESCI status (rather than SSCI) and historically notable self-citation rates are factors to consider when evaluating it for publication or assessment purposes.
Short name: IJI
Subject Area and Category: Social Sciences Education. Very useful search feature on their website. Make sure you cite and reference other IJI papers in your submission.
Country:
Turkey
Review date: 2021.06.14 Updated: 2021.06.23; 2024.02.06
[PDF] A needs assessment for enhancing primary school science and technology students' analytical thinking skills as reviewed by teachers
V Thanakhunsert, P Pimdee, A Sukkamart… - International Journal of …, 2026
The study used a needs assessment to identify and prioritize areas for developing
analytical thinking skills (ATS) in primary school students, based on the perspectives
of their primary school science and technology (computing science) teachers …
analytical thinking skills (ATS) in primary school students, based on the perspectives
of their primary school science and technology (computing science) teachers …
[PDF] Curriculum development for competency-based training of scout leaders in Thailand: A design and development research study
C Deekoontod, A Sukkamart, P Pimdee, P Tansiri… - International Journal of …, 2026
Scout leader training in Thailand has remained essentially unchanged since the
1960s and continues to fall short of the essential basic leadership competencies
required for the 21st Century. In response to this pressing issue, we designed …
1960s and continues to fall short of the essential basic leadership competencies
required for the 21st Century. In response to this pressing issue, we designed …
[PDF] Dual perspectives on academic optimism and digital media literacy among pre-service teachers
R Sungkawadee, T Kantathanawat, P Pimdee… - International Journal of …, 2026
This study examines academic optimism (AO) and digital media literacy (DML)
among pre-service teachers (PSTs) in the Computer Education program at
Naresuan University, Thailand. Using a needs assessment framework, a …
among pre-service teachers (PSTs) in the Computer Education program at
Naresuan University, Thailand. Using a needs assessment framework, a …
[PDF] Effects of an integrated ARCS-Flipped model on technology-enhanced Chinese listening and motivation
J Yu, S Petsangsri, J Sitthiworachart - International Journal of Instruction, 2026
This quasi-experimental study, grounded in the need to explore effective
pedagogical models in Teaching Chinese as a Foreign Language (TCFL),
examined the impact of integrating the ARCS motivation model with a flipped …
pedagogical models in Teaching Chinese as a Foreign Language (TCFL),
examined the impact of integrating the ARCS motivation model with a flipped …
Chitapol Deekoontod, Aukkapong Sukkamart, Paitoon Pimdee, Piya Tansiri, Sirinthorn Meekhobtong
https://www.e-iji.net/volumes/
Phanphim Siriphatcharachot, Aukkapong Sukkamart, Akkarin Thongkaw, Paitoon Pimdee, Sangutai Moto
Siriphatcharachot, P., Sukkamart, A.,
Thongkaw, A., Pimdee, P., & Moto, S. (2025). High school student
creativity, innovation, and teamwork skills from teacher’s perspective: A
second-order confirmatory factor analysis. International Journal of
Instruction, 18(1), 39-60. https://doi.org/10.29333/iji.2025.1813a
https://www.e-iji.net/volumes/382-january-2025,-volume-18,-number-1
Pittaya
Takaew, Somkiat Tuntiwongwanich, Sirirat Petsangsri, Chontawat Meedee, Sangutai
Moto, Paitoon Pimdee
Takaew,
P., Tuntiwongwanich, S., Petsangsri, S., Meedee, C., Moto, S., & Pimdee, P.
(2025). Blended FORCE model: Advancing collaborative, cloud-based learning in
system design courses. International Journal of Instruction, 18(4),
75-88. https://www.e-iji.net/dosyalar/iji_2025_4_5.pdf
https://www.e-iji.net/volumes/385-onlinefirst
Chaovarit
Janpirom, Somkiat Tuntiwongwanich, Paitoon Pimdee, Chaichana Kulworatit,
Sangutai Moto
Janpirom,
C., Tuntiwongwanich, S., Pimdee, P., Kulworatit, C., & Moto, S. (2025).
Lecturers' perspectives on undergraduate students' innovative thinking skills
and creative problem-solving skills: A comparative needs analysis. International
Journal of Instruction, 18(3), 121-140. https://doi.org/10.29333/iji.2025.1837a
https://www.e-iji.net/volumes/384-july-2025,-volume-18,-number-3
Arhit
Aroonsiwagool, Somkiat Tuntiwongwanich, Paitoon Pimdee, Chontawat Meedee,
Sangutai Moto
Aroonsiwagool, A., Tuntiwongwanich, S.,
Pimdee, P., Meedee, C., & Moto, S. (2025). Assessing instructors’
perceptions of critical skills in computational thinking and block-based
programming: A needs assessment approach. International Journal of
Instruction, 18(2), 245-260. https://doi.org/10.29333/iji.2025.18214a
https://www.e-iji.net/volumes/383-april-2025,-volume-18,-number-2
Paitoon Pimdee,
Punnee Leekitchwatana
Pimdee, P., & Leekitchwatana, P.
(2022). Appropriate Internet Use Behavior (AIUB) of Thai Preservice Teachers: A
Hierarchical Linear Model (HLM) Analysis. International Journal of
Instruction, 15(1), 489-508. https://doi.org/10.29333/iji.2021.14159a
https://www.e-iji.net/volumes/368-january-2022,-volume-15,-number-1
Paitoon Pimdee
Pimdee, P. (2021). An Analysis of the
Causal Relationships in Sustainable Consumption Behaviour (SCB) of Thai Student
Science Teachers. International Journal of Instruction, 14(1),
999-1018. https://doi.org/10.29333/iji.2021.14159a
https://www.e-iji.net/volumes/364-january-2021,-volume-14,-number-1
SJR Quartile: SJRQ2. Note: They are now putting on their emails to authors that they are now Scopus Q1.
ISSN: 1694609X,
13081470
Publisher: Faculty of Education, Eskisehir Osmangazi University or Gate Association for Teaching
and Education (GATE)
Contact Email: iji@ogu.edu.tr
APC: 500
Euro
Editor(s): Editor in Chief Prof. Asım ARI - Eskişehir Osmangazi
University, TURKEY
Beall Listed: NO
Scopus Discontinued List: YES
Frequency: 4 times a year plus an online first section.
Template: Manuscript template
Style: APA
(sort of)
Copyright:
Similarity threshold: “Papers
submitted to the International Journal of Instruction will be screened for
plagiarism using Turnitin/iThenticate plagiarism detection tools” (IJI does not state what the Turnitin cutoff score
is).
Submission process: An online submission but no tracking after that.
Journal Web Page Comments:
Handbook comments: What the journal says on their web page and what
they do are not the same. See the following: “We
don't normally ask any fee from international authors. The Journal
management has the right to change the article fee or not to charge articles
when it deems necessary.” So,
when you receive an email for 500 Swiss Francs, don’t be shocked. Also, IJI’s
journal template has little detail on how to prepare (except to say a maximum
of 17 pages is allowed - the web page says 15). On 2021.04.27 IJI stated they had received 7803 papers, from which, 1046 have been published (13.4%), with the same stat showing on 2021.06.14 unchanged. “Depending on the evaluation reports of the members of the
Editorial Advisory Board, articles are published or article evaluation
process takes approximately three months.” There is an online submission process, but you cannot track your paper
after that. However, email response is decent measured in less than 2 weeks.
Also note that the submission only allows one file so you cannot send them a
cover letter or your Turnitin report, with no verification email sent to the
submission account. Also, IJI now includes the following very strange
statement at the bottom of their emails: “Note: International
Journal of Instruction has a wide range of abstracting/indexing services.
However, the index services have the right of one-sided termination of the
contracts and not to publish any of the articles. Therefore, we do not accept
any responsibilities caused by indexing problems“. Overall, a very
strange journal to work with, with a difficult web site to use. There seems to also be a consistent pattern with IJI submission authors that
before their papers are accepted, the author will be sent 1-2 papers to review.
This journal practice is highly unique and rather odd in our opinion. Expect a
tall mountain to climb with your submission and over a year to see the final paper online. The following screen capture was taken 2021.06.14:
If you would like to be entertained, read the comments on the SJR/IJI portal.
Finally, Acceptance to publication is another 6 months. Therefore, if you require an acceptance letter, you must request an invoice, pay it, they they will send you the letter you need for your faculty.
Sample Papers:
IJI also has a hit counter for each issue, which is rather interesting as well.
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