These are peer-reviewed journals, but their publication workflows vary—some aim for quick decisions (2–6 weeks), while others follow standard review timelines.
Free Scopus-Indexed Journals with Faster Review Cycles
Heliyon (Elsevier) – Multidisciplinary, no APC, rapid decisions
Journal of Electrical Systems – Engineering, 10–15 day fast-track review
e-Informatica Software Engineering Journal – Computer science, free to publish
Acta Acustica – Acoustics, no fees
Acta Biologica Sibirica – Biological sciences, no APC
Journal of Advanced Research (Elsevier) – Prestigious, fast decisions
Built Heritage (SpringerOpen) – Engineering/Architecture, no APC, double-blind review
Verified List of 7 Free Scopus-Indexed Journals With Faster Processing
Necessary: Verify each journal in the official Scopus Sources database before submission. Indexing can change monthly. https://www.scopus.com/sources
Below is a curated list supported by publisher information and publicly available Scopus indexing records. This list includes zero-APC, Scopus-indexed, and faster-than-average turnaround journals:
One of the biggest mistakes early-career researchers make is selecting a journal because it is fast rather than because it is a good match for their topic. Even legitimate Scopus-indexed journals will reject a paper within hours or days if it does not fit their scope, regardless of quality.
✅ What is “scope fit”?
Every journal has a defined scope, which describes:
The subjects it publishes
The type of research it accepts
its target audience
preferred methodologies or formats
For example:
A computer science journal will not publish microbiology research.
An engineering journal may not accept purely theoretical mathematics.
A medical journal may only publish clinical studies, not computational modeling.
Even if your manuscript is excellent, a journal will reject it immediately if it does not match its aims and scope.
✔ Why Scope Fit Matters More Than Publishing Speed
1. Increases Your Chance of Acceptance
Editors make the first decision within minutes:
If your topic matches the journal’s scope → it goes for peer review.
If it does not → it receives a desk rejection, often with generic feedback.
A good scope fit ensures the editor sees your work as relevant and appropriate for their readership.
2. Faster & More Efficient Peer Review
Contrary to what students believe, a well-matched manuscript often receives faster reviews, because:
The journal has reviewers who understand your subject.
The paper fits familiar methodologies and topics.
Reviewers can evaluate it quickly and accurately.
Poor scope fit slows everything because:
The editor struggles to find the right reviewers.
Assigned reviewers may decline because it is outside their expertise.
The manuscript may bounce between reviewers, adding weeks or months.
3. Fewer Revision Cycles
When your research matches the journal’s core themes:
Reviewers know what “good quality” looks like in that topic
Their comments are clearer, targeted, and actionable
You avoid major revisions by requesting changes that don’t apply to your field
Poorly matched manuscripts often receive:
conflicting reviewer comments
requests for unnecessary experiments
Feedback asking for a different type of study entirely
“revise and resubmit” cycles that take months
Proper scope alignment leads to smoother, quicker review processes.
4. Better Visibility and Citation Potential
If your paper appears in a journal read by your target academic community:
More researchers will find it
It receives higher citation potential
Your work contributes more to your field
Publishing in a fast but poorly aligned journal means:
Your core audience may never see your research
Citations may remain low
Your work has less scholarly impact
Scope fit = long-term research visibility.
5. Protects You From Wasting Time
Submitting to the wrong journal can set you back:
1–3 weeks for desk rejection
2–4 months in slow or inappropriate peer review
Having to restart the submission process
Choosing the right journal before submitting prevents avoidable delays.
✔ How to Check Scope Fit: Examples
Before submitting, ask yourself:
1. Does the journal publish papers on my exact topic?
Search their recent issues:
If your topic never appears, → not a good fit.
2. Is my methodology the type they typically accept?
Example:
An SLR (systematic literature review) may be unsuitable for a journal that only publishes empirical studies.
3. Are my keywords similar to their article keywords?
Match:
subject areas
key phrases
technical terms
4. Who reads this journal?
Your intended audience must match the journal’s audience.
5. Does the journal’s “Aims & Scope” explicitly include your research area?
This is the most critical factor.
❌ Example of Poor Fit
Research topic: Machine learning for supply-chain optimization. Journal selected: Acta Biologica Sibirica (Biological Sciences). Outcome: Immediate rejection.
Avoid journals with hidden fees or suspiciously quick promises
Scope alignment remains the strongest factor for fast acceptance
FAQs
Are there truly free Scopus-indexed journals?
Yes. Several society- and university-funded open-access journals charge no APCs while remaining fully Scopus-indexed.
Are fast Scopus journals reliable?
Fast ≠ predatory. Some journals have efficient editorial workflows—but always verify indexing and transparency.
How can I confirm if a journal is currently Scopus-indexed?
Use the Scopus Sources tool and search by ISSN for accuracy.
Conclusion
Free Scopus-indexed journals with fast publication do exist, but they require careful evaluation. Many reputable open-access journals supported by societies and universities offer reasonable review timelines without charging APCs. However, publication speed must never take precedence over quality, ethics, or scope alignment.
Authors should always verify a journal through the official Scopus Sources tool, assess transparency, read author guidelines thoroughly, and avoid outlets promising unrealistic deadlines.
When selected thoughtfully, these free Scopus-indexed journals offer a credible, cost-effective path for early-career researchers, Master’s students, and PhD scholars to disseminate their work without compromising scholarly standards.
After a career in biochemistry and molecular biology, I now dedicate this ResearchDeep platform to simplifying Master’s and PhD research to assist postgraduate researchers worldwide.
To know more, visit the ABOUT page.
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