Strategies for Enhancing the Influence of Comprehensive Agricultural Science and Technology Journals Hosted by Local Agricultural Universities

Institute of Agricultural Information Technology, Henan Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Zhengzhou, Henan 450002, China

Abstract

[Objective] To explore strategies for enhancing the influence of comprehensive agricultural science and technology journals hosted by local agricultural universities, thereby laying a foundation for cultivating world-class agricultural sci-tech journals. [Methods] This study investigated and comprehensively analyzed 24 representative comprehensive agricultural science and technology journals hosted by local agricultural universities, examining publication cycles and article volumes, total citation frequencies, influence indices, impact factors, inclusion in major domestic and international databases, column and special issue settings, editorial board construction, Chinese and English website development, and WeChat official account platform construction. The analysis identified existing problems and proposed targeted strategies for influence enhancement. [Results] Strategies such as adjusting article volume and shortening publication delays, rationally setting up columns and actively organizing special issues, fully mobilizing editorial board enthusiasm to pursue expert-led publishing, strengthening English website construction to align with international database inclusion criteria, and enhancing new media platform construction can effectively improve the influence of these journals. [Conclusion] Comprehensive agricultural science and technology journals hosted by local agricultural universities should leverage their own advantages, establish scientific and precise positioning, pursue expert-led publishing, strengthen new media platform construction, and expand international dissemination channels to enhance their influence and dissemination capacity.

Keywords: local agricultural universities; comprehensive agricultural science and technology journals; influence; databases; editorial board members; columns; new media

Classification Code: G202
Document Code: A
Article ID: 1671-0134(2025)02-110-05
DOI: 10.19483/j.cnki.11-4653/n.2025.02.021
Citation Format: Duan Junzhi. Strategies for Enhancing the Influence of Comprehensive Agricultural Science and Technology Journals Hosted by Local Agricultural Universities[J]. China Media Technology, 2025, 32(2): 110-113, 118.

Building world-class sci-tech journals is a shared goal for all science and technology journal professionals in China. Agricultural sci-tech journals serve as important platforms for showcasing and disseminating agricultural research achievements, acting as intermediaries that transform these achievements into practical productive forces and playing crucial roles in promoting the dissemination of agricultural research findings and driving agricultural sci-tech innovation [1]. Comprehensive agricultural sci-tech journals hosted by local agricultural universities constitute an important component of agricultural sci-tech journals and serve as vital platforms for disseminating regional agricultural research achievements, thereby significantly contributing to agricultural sci-tech development in their respective regions and across the nation.

Compared with other journals, those hosted by local agricultural universities are relatively few in number. These journals are regionally based, mostly featuring local characteristics with relatively concentrated authors and institutions, exhibiting a certain degree of introversion. Some journals suffer from unclear positioning, repetitive topics, lack of professional distinctive features, and serious homogenization, resulting in the loss of high-quality manuscript sources [2-3]. Comprehensive agricultural sci-tech journals hosted by local agricultural universities should leverage their own advantages, utilize new media platforms, establish scientific and precise positioning, build strong journal brands, and enhance their influence and dissemination capacity. Currently, few studies have examined comprehensive agricultural sci-tech journals hosted by provincial agricultural, forestry, or reclamation universities, and no comprehensive systematic analysis of their characteristics has been reported.

1. Research Samples and Data Sources

This study selected 24 comprehensive agricultural science and technology journals hosted by representative agricultural universities from various provinces as samples (Table 1 [TABLE:1]). Data were obtained from the Overview of Chinese Core Journals (2023 edition), Chinese Academic Journal International Citation Report (Natural Sciences and Engineering Technology) (2023 edition), journal official websites, CNKI, and WeChat official accounts.

2. Current Status of Comprehensive Agricultural Sci-Tech Journals Hosted by Local Agricultural Universities

2.1 Publication Cycle and Article Volume

The survey revealed that the 24 journals primarily followed a bimonthly publication schedule (Table 1), with 22 journals (91.67%) being bimonthly and only 2 journals (8.33%) being monthly. In terms of annual article volume in 2022 (Table 1), the 24 journals showed significant variation, ranging from 68 to 199 articles. Six journals (25%) published fewer than 100 articles annually, with the Journal of Xinjiang Agricultural University having the smallest volume at 68 articles. Eighteen journals (75%) published more than 100 articles annually, with the Journal of Northwest A&F University (Natural Science Edition) (199 articles), Journal of Huazhong Agricultural University (186 articles), and Agricultural Research in the Arid Areas (182 articles) having relatively large volumes, while other journals published fewer than 160 articles, mostly concentrated between 100 and 135 articles.

2.2 Total Citation Frequency, Influence Index, and Impact Factor

The survey found that the total citation frequency of the 24 journals ranged from 1,026 to 8,078 times, indicating substantial gaps between journals (Table 1). The Journal of Northwest A&F University (Natural Science Edition) (8,078 times) and Agricultural Research in the Arid Areas (7,304 times) had relatively high citation frequencies, while the Journal of Xinjiang Agricultural University had the lowest at 1,026 times. Overall, 5 journals had citation frequencies between 1,000 and 2,000 times, 11 journals between 2,001 and 3,000 times, 5 journals between 3,001 and 4,000 times, and 1 journal each in the ranges of 4,001-5,000, 7,001-8,000, and 8,001-9,000 times.

The influence index (CI value) of the 24 journals ranged from 108.058 to 593.095. The Journal of Northwest A&F University (Natural Science Edition) and Agricultural Research in the Arid Areas had relatively high CI values exceeding 500. Four journals had CI values between 401 and 500, eight between 301 and 400, six between 201 and 300, and four between 101 and 200.

The composite impact factor of the 24 journals ranged from 0.464 to 2.682, with the Journal of Jilin Agricultural University ranking highest, followed by the Journal of South China Agricultural University. Six journals had composite impact factors exceeding 2.0, one journal had a factor below 1.0, and the remaining journals ranged between 1.0 and 2.0. The comprehensive impact factor ranged from 0.320 to 1.768, with the Journal of South China Agricultural University (1.768) and the Journal of Huazhong Agricultural University (1.767) having relatively high values. Six journals had comprehensive impact factors below 1.0, while 18 journals exceeded 1.0. Overall, the influence-related indicators varied significantly among the 24 journals, with composite impact factors concentrated between 1.5 and 2.0 and comprehensive impact factors between 1.0 and 1.5.

2.3 Inclusion in Major Domestic and International Databases

Among the 24 journals, 20 (83.33%) were source journals for the Chinese Core Journals Overview, including 15 titled "Journal of ... Agricultural University". Nineteen journals (79.17%) were included in the Chinese Science Citation Database (CSCD), including 14 titled "Journal of ... Agricultural University". Regarding international databases, the 24 journals were included in 1 to 13 international databases, primarily including CABI (UK), CA (USA), Pж(AJ) (Russia), EBSCO (USA), AGRIS (FAO), Scopus (Netherlands), ZR (UK), FSTA (UK), Ulrichsweb (USA), IC (Poland), and JST (Japan). Four journals were included in only one international database, three journals each were included in 2, 5, 6, or 7 databases, two journals in 3 databases, and one journal each in 4, 8, 9, 10, or 13 databases, specifically the Journal of Gansu Agricultural University, Journal of Huazhong Agricultural University, Journal of Nanjing Agricultural University, Journal of Zhejiang University (Agriculture and Life Sciences), and Journal of South China Agricultural University.

Overall, three journals were neither source journals for the Chinese Core Journals Overview nor included in CSCD, while 18 journals were both source journals for the Chinese Core Journals Overview and included in CSCD.

2.4 Column Settings and Special Issues

An investigation into the column settings of the 24 journals over the past two years revealed that 6 journals had no columns, while the remaining 18 journals had between 2 and 11 columns. Four journals each had 2, 6, or 8 columns (totaling 50.00%), two journals each had 9 or 11 columns (totaling 16.67%), and one journal each had 4 or 7 columns (totaling 8.33%). Seven journals (29.17%) had set up special issues, all on an ad hoc basis, while no journals had established regular special columns.

In summary, the 24 journals showed significant variation in column numbers, with few journals establishing special issues and none setting up special columns.

2.5 Editorial Board Construction

A survey of the editorial boards of the 24 journals showed that all had established complete editorial boards, with board member numbers ranging from 22 to 102. Sixteen journals (66.67%) had fewer than 50 board members, while 8 journals (33.33%) had more than 51 members. Additionally, 3 journals had young editorial board members: Journal of Huazhong Agricultural University, Journal of South China Agricultural University, and Journal of Shanxi Agricultural University (Natural Science Edition). Furthermore, 1 journal had international board members: Journal of Zhejiang University (Agriculture and Life Sciences). In summary, all 24 journals had established editorial boards with significant variation in size, and most lacked international board members.

2.6 Chinese and English Website Construction

An investigation into the Chinese and English website construction of the 24 journals found that all had Chinese-language websites with clear interface design, complete basic functions, and user-friendly operation, with 2 journals offering e-books. Thirteen journals had English websites, of which 7 had substantial English content with specific information in each section, fully consistent with or even more comprehensive than their Chinese websites, while 6 had incomplete English websites with no content in any sections or only content on the homepage. In summary, all 24 journals had Chinese websites, but most lacked English websites or had incomplete English content.

2.7 WeChat Official Account Platform Construction

New media, particularly WeChat official accounts, offer advantages such as rapid dissemination, rich content, and accessible approaches. An investigation into WeChat official account platform construction revealed that only 3 journals had not launched WeChat official accounts, while 21 journals (87.50%) had done so. However, most published relatively monotonous content, primarily including current issue tables of contents, selected papers, journal activities, and virtual special issues. Six journals had also launched WeChat video channels, but most had very few videos, ranging from 2 to 8. Evidently, journals hosted by local agricultural universities generally suffer from insufficiently attractive WeChat content, lack of interaction with readers, and predominantly highly specialized content with insufficient popularization.

3. Strategies for Enhancing Influence of Comprehensive Agricultural Sci-Tech Journals Hosted by Local Agricultural Universities

Based on a detailed investigation and comprehensive analysis of the 24 journals' publication cycles, article volumes, total citation frequencies, influence indices, impact factors, inclusion in major domestic and international databases, column and special issue settings, editorial board construction, Chinese and English website development, and WeChat official account platform construction, this study proposes the following strategies to enhance academic influence and dissemination capacity.

3.1 Adjust Article Volume and Shorten Publication Delays

The survey revealed that most of the 24 journals were bimonthly, with 6 publishing fewer than 100 articles annually and 3 publishing 180-199 articles. Excessively small article volumes cannot generate broad and lasting impact in relevant research fields, while excessively large volumes may affect manuscript quality, particularly academic quality, thereby hindering influence enhancement. Moreover, with unchanged editorial staff, larger article volumes lead to longer publication delays, slower dissemination of innovative research findings, and reduced academic influence. Therefore, appropriately adjusting article volume and shortening publication delays to accelerate research dissemination is essential. To shorten publication delays, the most critical step is reducing review cycles by enhancing editors' professional expertise to improve review speed and accuracy, promptly assigning manuscripts to relevant external reviewers to avoid invalid reviews that extend timelines or result in unqualified manuscripts being used. Additionally, closely monitoring review status and elapsed time and appropriately reminding reviewers can accelerate the external review process.

3.2 Rationally Set Up Columns and Actively Organize Special Issues

Journal columns reflect the character and positioning of a journal, and well-designed columns can attract scholars in relevant fields, obtain high-quality manuscripts, and enhance influence [4-5]. The investigation found that the 24 journals had between 0 and 11 columns, with some having no columns or too few, while others had too many. Having no columns or too few restricts manuscript scope and hinders influence enhancement; these journals should appropriately establish or increase columns. Conversely, too many columns can blur journal character and positioning, preventing distinctive features from emerging and making it difficult to generate broad, lasting impact; these journals should reassess column value and concentrate resources on key columns. Additionally, only 7 journals had randomly organized special issues, and none had established regular special columns. Special issues offer advantages such as focused themes and strong knowledge integration, playing important roles in enhancing academic influence [6-9]. Comprehensive agricultural sci-tech journals should focus on key priorities, frontiers, and hot topics in agricultural research to actively organize special issues.

3.3 Fully Mobilize Editorial Board Enthusiasm and Pursue Expert-Led Publishing

Editorial board members play a crucial role in enhancing journal influence [10-12]. The survey found that all 24 journals had established editorial boards, but only 3 had young board members and 1 had international members. Research indicates that most board members participate minimally in journal positioning, topic planning, and manuscript solicitation [13], with their enthusiasm and roles not fully mobilized or utilized. Therefore, multiple measures should be implemented to activate board members, enabling them to fully contribute to topic planning, manuscript solicitation, and review, gradually transitioning toward expert-led publishing. Additionally, strengthening young editorial board team construction, led by senior experts and powered by young members, can maximize the academic potential of editorial boards [14-15]. Furthermore, actively building international editorial board teams can promote journal internationalization.

3.4 Strengthen English Website Construction to Align with International Database Inclusion Criteria

International databases are primary channels for global journal dissemination. The survey found that the 24 journals were included in only 1 to 13 international databases, with most included in relatively few databases. Therefore, journals should actively align with international database inclusion requirements to enhance global dissemination capacity. To be included in international databases, besides aligning content and format with requirements, English website construction is crucial to facilitate review by database evaluation staff. The investigation found that only 13 journals had English websites, with half being incomplete, having content only on the homepage or no content at all. Therefore, journals should actively and meticulously construct English websites aligned with international database requirements while attending to details such as browsing habits of international users.

3.5 Strengthen New Media Platform Construction

The survey found that among the 24 journals, 3 had not launched WeChat official accounts, while 21 had done so but mostly published monotonous content focused on current issue tables of contents, selected papers, journal activities, and virtual special issues, with little content on paper writing techniques or research hot topics. Additionally, 6 journals had launched WeChat video channels, but most had very few videos (2-8). Evidently, journals hosted by local agricultural universities generally suffer from insufficiently attractive WeChat content, lack of reader interaction, predominantly highly specialized content, and insufficient popularization. Therefore, journals should: (1) reprocess papers using images, audio, and video to create popularized interpretations that attract more readers, accelerate knowledge dissemination, and enhance influence; (2) diversify published content by adding topics of interest to readers and researchers, and organize virtual special issues based on published content tailored to readers' fragmented "shallow reading" habits; and (3) actively launch video channels with rich video content to attract more readers and enhance influence.

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Author Biography: Duan Junzhi (1981—), female, from Cangzhou, Hebei, Ph.D., Associate Researcher, Deputy Director of Editorial Department of Henan Agricultural Sciences, research direction: journal editing, publishing and innovation development.

Responsible Editor: Li Yansong