Website Design & Development
We create stunning, user-friendly websites that drive growth.
EBSCO Information Services is one of the world's largest providers of research databases, serving academic, corporate, government, and public libraries globally. Unlike citation indexes such as Scopus or Web of Science, EBSCO operates as a content aggregator—making journal content discoverable through library systems used by millions of researchers. For journals seeking broader institutional reach, EBSCO inclusion offers significant discoverability benefits.
Understanding EBSCO #
EBSCO functions differently from citation databases:
What EBSCO Does #
- Content Aggregation: Compiles content from multiple sources into searchable databases
- Library Distribution: Provides databases to libraries worldwide via subscription
- Discovery Services: Integrates content into institutional search systems
- Full-Text and Abstract Access: Offers varying levels of content access depending on agreements
EBSCO vs. Citation Indexes #
Key differences from Scopus or Web of Science:
- EBSCO focuses on discoverability rather than citation metrics
- No proprietary impact factor or citation index
- More inclusive—accepts a wider range of quality journals
- Primarily serves library users rather than research evaluation
- References external metrics (Web of Science, Scopus, PsycINFO, etc.) for quality assessment
Major EBSCO Databases #
EBSCO operates numerous subject-specific and multidisciplinary databases:
Multidisciplinary Databases #
- Academic Search Ultimate: Comprehensive scholarly, multidisciplinary full-text database
- Academic Search Complete: Broad coverage of academic disciplines
- Academic Search Premier: Core academic research database
Subject-Specific Databases #
- Business Source Complete: Business and economics research
- Education Research Complete: Education-focused content
- CINAHL Plus: Nursing and allied health
- PsycINFO: Psychology and behavioral sciences (APA database hosted by EBSCO)
- MEDLINE with Full Text: Biomedical and health sciences
- Communication & Mass Media Complete: Media and communication studies
- Legal Source: Legal research and law reviews
- Environment Complete: Environmental science
Open Access Integration #
EBSCO actively indexes open access content:
- Integrates DOAJ (Directory of Open Access Journals) content
- Supports Unpaywall for open access discovery
- Indexes open access databases and repositories
- Provides EBSCO eBook Open Access collection
Benefits of EBSCO Indexing #
Institutional Reach #
EBSCO databases are used by:
- Academic libraries worldwide
- Corporate research libraries
- Government agencies
- Public library systems
- Healthcare institutions
Discoverability #
- Content integrated into library search engines
- Appears in EBSCO Discovery Service results
- Metadata indexed for comprehensive searching
- Full-text access for subscribed institutions
Credibility #
- EBSCO applies curation processes for quality assurance
- References established citation indexes for quality verification
- Inclusion signals professional publishing standards
EBSCO Selection Process #
Evaluation Approach #
EBSCO uses 17 scientific advisory committees to evaluate content. Their selection considers:
- External Validation: References ISI Impact Factor, PsycINFO, MEDLINE, ERIC, EconLit, Inspec, CINAHL for quality signals
- Internal Assessment: Advisory board review and subscription data analysis
- Relevance: Fit with database scope and user needs
- Quality Standards: Basic publishing standards compliance
Basic Requirements #
Journals should meet core publishing standards:
- ISSN: Registered ISSN (print and/or electronic)
- DOIs: Digital Object Identifiers for articles (strongly recommended)
- Peer Review: Documented peer review process
- Regular Publication: Consistent publishing schedule
- Quality Content: Scholarly, professionally edited content
- Professional Website: Complete journal information accessible
Website Requirements #
EBSCO emphasises transparency and professionalism:
- Clear journal scope and aims
- Editorial board with affiliations
- Author guidelines
- Peer review policy
- Publication ethics statement
- Contact information
- Archive accessibility
Building Professional Journal Infrastructure?
Proper journal presentation and complete documentation support inclusion in library databases like EBSCO. We help journals establish professional online presence.
Application Process #
How to Apply #
Unlike some databases, EBSCO does not use an automated portal. The process involves:
- Initial Contact: Send inquiry via email or contact regional representative
- Submission Form: Complete the publisher partnership form at ebsco.com/publishers-partnerships
- Review: EBSCO team evaluates journal quality and relevance
- Decision: If accepted, journal may be added to one or more databases
Licensing Agreement #
Accepted journals sign licensing agreements covering:
- Permission for EBSCO to index content
- Content access arrangements (full-text or abstract)
- Royalty terms (EBSCO pays royalties to indexed journals)
- Rights and permissions for open access content
Content Delivery #
For open access journals, EBSCO typically harvests content from the open web. Subscription journals arrange direct content delivery.
No Application Fees #
There are no fees to apply for EBSCO indexing. Terms are negotiated individually with publishers.
Important Considerations #
Rejection Embargo #
If a journal is rejected, it typically cannot reapply for 5 years. This makes thorough preparation before submission essential.
Open Access Journals #
Open access journals should ensure:
- Proper author agreements allow EBSCO indexing
- EBSCO inclusion won't conflict with open access commitments
- Content remains freely accessible on journal website
Subject Fit #
Consider which EBSCO database(s) match your journal's scope. Subject-specific databases may provide better visibility than general databases for specialised content.
EBSCO Readiness Checklist #
Basic Requirements #
☐ Registered ISSN (print and/or electronic)
☐ DOIs assigned to articles
☐ Peer review process documented
☐ Regular publication schedule maintained
☐ Scholarly, professionally edited content
Website Requirements #
☐ Professional journal website
☐ Clear aims and scope
☐ Editorial board with affiliations
☐ Comprehensive author guidelines
☐ Peer review policy stated
☐ Publication ethics statement
☐ Contact information visible
☐ Complete archives accessible
Content Quality #
☐ Original scholarly research
☐ Professional editing and formatting
☐ Complete article metadata
☐ Abstracts for all articles
☐ Proper reference formatting
Pre-Submission #
☐ Identified relevant EBSCO database(s) for your scope
☐ Verified journal not already indexed
☐ Confirmed rights to authorise indexing
☐ Prepared journal information for submission
EBSCO vs. Other Indexing Options #
Understanding where EBSCO fits in your indexing strategy:
| Aspect | EBSCO | Scopus/WoS |
|---|---|---|
| Primary Function | Content discovery | Citation indexing |
| Metrics | No proprietary metrics | Impact Factor, CiteScore |
| Selectivity | More inclusive | Highly selective |
| Primary Users | Library patrons | Researchers, evaluators |
| Rejection Embargo | 5 years | 2 years (typically) |
EBSCO indexing complements rather than replaces citation database indexing. Many journals pursue both for maximum visibility.
How Altechmind Can Help #
Professional journal infrastructure supports database inclusion:
- OJS Configuration: Proper metadata fields and DOI integration
- Website Development: Professional presentation meeting database expectations
- Policy Documentation: Complete, properly presented journal policies
- Archive Accessibility: All issues properly accessible and organised
- Metadata Quality: Complete, accurate article-level metadata
Important Disclaimer #
This article provides general guidance based on publicly available EBSCO documentation as of December 2025. EBSCO policies and processes may change without notice. For current information, contact EBSCO directly:
- Publisher Partnerships: ebsco.com/publishers-partnerships
Altechmind Technologies provides technical services for journal infrastructure. We are not affiliated with EBSCO, and our services do not guarantee database inclusion. Indexing decisions are made solely by EBSCO based on their evaluation criteria.
