Robust assessment of publishing quality and practices welcomed by Southern journal editors

Journals in the developing world face challenges in becoming known and respected in the international research landscape. Journal Publishing Practices and Standards (JPPS), established and managed by African Journals Online (AJOL) and INASP, provides detailed assessment criteria for the quality of publishing practices of Southern journals and is initially being used to assess the journals hosted on Journals Online (JOL) platforms.

The assigned JPPS levels serve a dual purpose. For readers, they provide assurance that the journals meet an internationally recognized set of criteria at a particular level. For journal editors, the detailed feedback from the JPPS assessment helps them identify ways to improve their publishing practices and standards with a view to achieving a higher level at the next assessment.