An ISSN (International Standard Serial Number) is a unique identifier assigned to serial publications such as journals, magazines, and periodicals. It consists of eight digits, typically separated by a hyphen (e.g., 2348-1269), and serves to distinguish one serial publication from another. The ISSN system helps facilitate the efficient management, cataloguing, and retrieval of serial publications, ensuring that content is easily searchable and recognized worldwide.

Importance of ISSN for Journals and Publications

• Credibility and Recognition: An ISSN gives a journal or publication an official identity and increases its visibility, making it more credible in the academic community. Researchers, authors, and institutions prefer journals with ISSNs because they are officially recognized as valid and legitimate sources.
• Professionalism: For journal publishers, having an ISSN adds a layer of professionalism and makes it easier to engage with databases, libraries, and indexing services.
• Indexing and Access: An ISSN is often a prerequisite for indexing in prestigious academic databases such as Scopus, Web of Science, and PubMed, which enhances the journal’s accessibility and impact.
• Copyright and Copyright Management: Having an ISSN helps in the management and protection of the journal’s content under copyright laws.

Verifying a Journal’s ISSN

To verify if a journal has a valid ISSN:

• You can use the ISSN Portal provided by the ISSN International Centre, which offers a database where you can search for journals by their ISSN or title.
• You can also check the publisher’s website or contact them directly to confirm if they have an ISSN registered for their journal.
• Libraries and academic institutions often maintain records of ISSNs for the journals they subscribe to, making them a reliable source for verification.

Process to Apply for an ISSN

1. Eligibility: To apply for an ISSN, the journal must be published in serial form (e.g., on a recurring basis such as monthly, quarterly, or annually).
2. Application: Submit an application to the National ISSN Center in your country (or region), providing information such as the journal’s title, publisher details, frequency, and any additional metadata that describes the publication.
3. Review: The application will be reviewed to ensure the journal meets the requirements for an ISSN. If approved, the journal will be assigned a unique ISSN.
4. Documentation: You may need to provide a sample issue of the journal or other relevant materials to support the application.

Hire a Consultancy Firm

If you are confused with the proper procedure and do not want to waste time getting the ISSN for your journal, you can contact experts like www.ojscloud.com for help. They provide ISSN consultancy for acquiring an ISSN and can guide you through the entire process. With their extensive experience, they have successfully obtained more than 100 ISSNs for various journals. You can contact them on WhatsApp at +91 82003 85143 for personalized assistance and timely support in acquiring your ISSN.

ISSN Registration Authorities and Guidelines

Each country has a designated National ISSN Center, which manages ISSN registration within that country. These centers are part of the International ISSN Network coordinated by the ISSN International Centre in Paris. You can find the contact details and guidelines for applying for an ISSN on the respective ISSN Center’s website. Some of the key organizations involved in ISSN registration include:

• ISSN International Centre (global coordination)
• National ISSN Centers (for specific countries)
• 
  

Impact of an ISSN on Indexing and Accessibility

• Indexing: Many indexing services, such as Scopus and Web of Science, require an ISSN to accept a journal for inclusion. Without an ISSN, journals may face challenges in being indexed, which can limit their reach and academic impact.
• Accessibility: Having an ISSN improves the discoverability of a journal. It makes the journal easily identifiable across databases, library catalogs, and repositories, leading to higher accessibility and potential citations by other researchers.

Conclusion

An ISSN is crucial for the credibility, visibility, and professional standing of any academic journal. It helps publishers establish legitimacy, facilitates indexing in prominent academic databases, and enhances the discoverability of research. For anyone looking to launch a new journal, obtaining an ISSN is a key step in ensuring the journal is recognized and accessible in the global academic community.