How can I ensure that my journal is compliant with international standards and indexing services using OJS?

1. Select a Proper Journal Metadata Structure

• Metadata: Accurate and complete metadata (such as titles, authors, abstracts, keywords, and DOIs) is essential for indexing services. OJS allows you to customize article metadata to meet the standards required by indexing services.
• OJS Setup: Go to Settings > Metadata in your OJS installation to ensure the proper metadata format is in place. You can define the fields necessary for your journal.

2. Obtain ISSN (International Standard Serial Number)

• ISSN is a key requirement for indexing in databases like DOAJ and Google Scholar.
• Action Steps:
• Apply for an ISSN for your journal if you haven't already. You can use services like OJSCloud to assist with ISSN registration.
• In OJS, input the ISSN under Journal Settings > Journal Identification.

3. Register with CrossRef

• DOI (Digital Object Identifier): CrossRef requires each article to have a unique DOI for proper citation and tracking.
• OJS Setup for CrossRef:
• Install and configure the CrossRef DOI plugin in OJS. This plugin ensures that DOIs are automatically assigned to articles when they are published.
• After configuring, you can use OJS to deposit DOIs to CrossRef, ensuring compliance with their requirements.
• OJSCloud Support: OJSCloud offers CrossRef DOI integration services to streamline this process.

4. Apply for Inclusion in DOAJ (Directory of Open Access Journals)

• DOAJ Compliance: The DOAJ requires journals to meet several criteria, including adherence to open-access policies, proper licensing (e.g., Creative Commons), and robust editorial practices.
• Action Steps:
• Ensure your journal is open-access with a proper Creative Commons license (as discussed earlier).
• Implement transparent editorial and publishing practices, including a clear editorial board, peer-review process, and conflict-of-interest policy.
• Submit your journal to DOAJ through their application process, providing required details such as ISSN, editorial board, and peer-review practices.
• OJSCloud Support: OJSCloud can help you configure your journal to meet DOAJ's requirements and assist with submission.

5. Ensure Compliance with Google Scholar’s Indexing Guidelines

• Google Scholar Requirements: To get indexed by Google Scholar, your journal must have:
• An ISSN.
• Proper metadata with clear article structure (abstract, keywords, author info).
• PDF articles that are text-based and not images.
• A visible and well-structured website with full-text links.
• OJS Setup for Google Scholar: Ensure that your OJS site is well-structured, including proper HTML markup for articles, abstracts, and keywords.
• OJSCloud Assistance: OJSCloud can help optimize your journal's website for indexing by Google Scholar and ensure proper compliance.

6. Follow Best Practices for Open Access and Archiving

• Open-Access Policy: Ensure that all content published in your journal is freely available to users, without paywalls or subscription barriers.
• Archiving: Use OJS’s OAI-PMH (Open Archives Initiative Protocol for Metadata Harvesting) plugin to make sure your journal’s metadata is accessible for external repositories and indexes.
• Action Steps: Enable OAI-PMH in OJS under Plugins > Harvesting and configure it for repository integration.

7. Regularly Update and Monitor Compliance

• Monitoring: Regularly check the indexing services' requirements (CrossRef, DOAJ, Google Scholar) to ensure continued compliance. This can involve reviewing article metadata, editorial practices, and content policies.
• OJSCloud Monitoring: OJSCloud can provide ongoing support to ensure your journal stays compliant with evolving international standards and indexing requirements.

8. Contact Journal Indexing Consultant

• For expert guidance on aligning your journal with international standards and ensuring its eligibility for indexing services, contact a Journal Indexing Consultant at www.ojscloud.com.

By following these steps and contacting OJSCloud for professional support, you can ensure that your journal complies with international standards and meets the requirements for indexing in services like CrossRef, DOAJ, and Google Scholar.