All journals are evaluated by IndexCopernicus by the following Evaluation Methodology

Stage 1.
Detailed Parametrical analysis

The following groups of parameters are evaluated:

• Scientific quality: 580 base points (58.0%)
• Editorial quality: 200 base points (20.0%)
• International availability: 135 base points (13.5%)
• Frequency-Regularity-Stability: 50 base points (5.0%)
• Technical quality: 35 base points (3.5%)
• Total: 1000 base points (100,0%)

Stage 2.
Negative score analysis

Negative score is given for:

1. irregular or late issuance [late by up to one publishing period (-30), joint issues (-50), late more than one publishing period (-60)];
2. Unethical advertisement placement [within article (-60), directly before/after article (-40).

Stage 3.
Expert peer-review

Frequency-Regularity-Stability: 50 base points (5.0%)

1. Scientific significance of the published material [±20]
2. Up-to-date content [±20]
3. Educational value [±20].

How do we calculate Index Copernicus Value (ICV)

First, Base Points (BP) are converted into 10 points Total Basic Score (TBS), then:

1. For journals indexed in Current Contents Index Copernicus Value (ICV) calculations are based on the following formula:
   9+[(TBS)×(IF)] (where IF = impact factor value).
   This formula ensures that the journals indexed at Current Contents a have minimum ICV of =9 points.
2. For the rest of journals which are NOT indexed in Current Contents TBS=ICV

I. Scientific Quality

The following parameters have been evaluated:

1. International indexation. Three levels of indexation have been defined:
   1. Basic level - indexation in international bibliographic databases EXCEPT Index Medicus/MEDLINE and Current Contents.
   2. MEDLINE level (indexation at Index Medicus/MEDLINE). The score can be lowered if a journal does not or is late with its delivery of XML files according to Medline requirements.
   3. Indexation is carried out at the Philadelphia Institute of Scientifi c Information's Master Journal List (based on impact factor). IF is used in the calculation algorithm of Index Copernicus Value (ICV) - see above.
2. Annual percent of original research papers
   An original research paper is one, which presents the results of empiric investigation (clinical or laboratorial) divided into the following sections: background, material and methods, results, discussion, conclusions, references. The percentage of the original work published in a journal refl ects its character (scientific or educational) and indicates the potential interest of researchers in publishing there.
3. The number of papers published annually from centres outside the journal's country of origin indirectly indicates a degree of the journal's acceptance on the international market. The more international publications - the higher the score.
4. Number of all papers published on annual basis
   Reflects potential authorship and acceptance for the journal. Only papers published in regular issues are considered. Papers published in special issues or supplements are not counted as they are not considered to undergo the regular peer-review process. It will also be assessed if the papers published in a journal come from a source associated with the publisher or editorial board only, lowering the IC score.
5. The International Editorial Board adds to the score, for it creates a chance to further the journal's development.

II. Editorial quality

1. Cover page [all the following items should appear clearly: title, ISSN, frequency, volume/issue/part number, month/year].
2. The leading element of editorial quality is the uniform composition of presented manuscripts and adherence to a journal's instruction for it's authors. The following parameters are evaluated:
   1. The summary should count 200-250 words and have a structured form, i.e. refl ect structure of an article (background, material and methods, results, conclusion). Non-structural summaries consisting of less than 200 words will receive a penalty.
   2. Key words should not repeat the title of the manuscript. Ideally, authors should use key words selected from the MeSH catalogue.
   3. Uniform presentation of original manuscripts. Research works should be divided into background, material and methods, results, discussion, conclusions, references.
   4. References should be presented in consecutive order (as they are cited in the text). The first six authors should be presented. Journal title abbreviations should be in Medline standard. Citations in the text should be marked by Arab numbers in brackets or in the upper. Each citation item should be placed in a separate paragraph.
      Alphabetical order, "en block" presentation or incorrect abbreviation of journal titles lowers the score.
3. Information for authors should be included in each journal issue, and should contain:
   The general rules of the manuscript evaluation process, disclosing conflicts of interest between the referee and author, the referee and research sponsor, the author and research sponsor, the patient's privacy rights and ethical issues in animal and clinical research (Editorial Policy).
4. Detailed editorial and technical information regarding manuscript preparation (Instruction for Authors)
5. Editorial information should include a list of Editorial Board members, editorial correspondence addresses, the name and address of the publisher, ISSN and frequency of issuance (monthly, quarterly)
6. Advertisements should be placed on editorial pages (at the beginning and/or end of a journal).Advertisement within scientifi c content, i.e. before, inside and directly after an article is undesirable and lowers the IC score.

III. International availability

International availability is important for the proper development of a scientifi c journal. Two factors are taken into consideration:

1. The language of publication: English is preferable, since this is the universal language of science.Journals published in other languages should have full size (200-250 words) structural summaries in English and a bilingual article title as well as table/fi gure subtitles.
2. Internet availability: The internet is an important medium for scientific publications and for the exchange of professional information. It is due to its global availability, speed and low cost of publication, in comparison with printed journals. Internet availability enhances a journal's chance of broadening circulation and accelerating development. Access to editorial information, the table of contents, summaries, full text articles and search tools are evaluated. The preferred language of a website is English.

IV. Frequency-Regularity-Market stability

This group of parameters assesses the editor's publishing/managing effi ciency. We evaluate:

1. Regularity of issuance, which is an important factor for a journal's stability and one of the key evaluation parameter at other international indexing databases such as Medline and Current Contents. Journals of an irregular issuance, those which are late, or those which issue joint issues receive a lower score.
2. We add score to journals on their continued presence on the market.

V. Technical quality

Technical quality assesses proper presentation of the scientific content. The quality of the preprint process, especially desktop publishing (DTP), the ability to print in colour, and the quality of paper (acidfree is preferred) are evaluated. The preferred format of a journal is A4.

Double-blind peer review: All the papers submitted to IJRPS are subjected for double blind peer review process. Reviewers are unaware of the identity of the authors, and authors are also unaware of the identity of reviewers. There are at least two or more reviewers will be assigned to each article for peer review in order to maintain the quality of published contents.

• The impact factor is determined by dividing the number of current citations to papers published in the two previous years by the total number of papers published in these two years.
• As our journal IJRPS is newly published we do not anticipate having a Journal Impact Factor until mid 2011.