Insights into Journal Performance and Submission Trends: A Quantitative Analysis of JOPAS Data from 2017 to 2024
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Journal Performance Metrics, Editorial Efficiency, Submission Trends, Peer Review Dynamics, Open Access Publishing
Abstract
Academic journals face persistent challenges in balancing editorial efficiency with rigorous quality control. This study presents a quantitative analysis of the Journal of Pure & Applied Sciences (JOPAS) from 2017 to 2024, examining trends in submissions, editorial decision times, acceptance/rejection patterns, and publication outcomes. Utilizing longitudinal data from the journal’s editorial management system, we employed exploratory data analysis, descriptive statistics, and linear regression modeling. Results indicate a significant operational transition post-2020, with submissions increasing from 6 in 2019 to 162 in 2024. A marked reduction in average decision time—from 362 days in 2020 to 85.4 days in 2024—reflects improved workflow efficiency. While desk rejections constituted 67.7% of all rejections in 2024, the quality index (0.55) and accepted-to-submitted ratio (0.26) suggest a refined, selective process. A linear regression model fitted to 2021–2024 data (R² = 0.193, p = 0.561) predicted 151.5 submissions for 2025, indicating a plateau in growth rather than sustained expansion. Correlation analysis revealed a moderate, positive relationship between the quality index and publication efficiency (r = 0.73, p < 0.05), underscoring that rigorous pre-review screening enhances publication success. Conversely, no significant correlation was found between submission volume and daily editorial workload (r = -0.01, p = 0.99), suggesting effective resource allocation. These findings provide evidence-based insights for optimizing editorial operations in regional, multidisciplinary journals, emphasizing the importance of standardized screening protocols and workload management over mere volume growth.
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