Case Study
HRM Research in a Scopus Q3 Journal — Meeting API Score Requirements
How an Indian assistant professor achieved her first Scopus publication for API score compliance.
Journal
[HRM/Management Journal]
The Researcher's Starting Point
An assistant professor at a private Indian university needed a Scopus publication for API score requirements. She had survey data from 300 respondents on employee engagement and leadership styles but had never published in an indexed journal before. Her self-written manuscript had been rejected from a Q1 journal (unrealistic targeting).
Challenges Identified
Key Issues
- First-time author with no experience of journal publication process
- Targeted Q1 without understanding tier expectations
- SEM analysis was complete but not reported to journal standards
- Cover letter was generic and didn't highlight contribution
How We Supported the Manuscript
Research Ramp's Role
- Tier Alignment: Assessed the manuscript honestly as Scopus Q3-ready and selected appropriate Emerald journals
- SEM Reporting: Restructured CFA and SEM results with proper fit indices, AVE, CR, and discriminant validity tables
- Contribution Framing: Positioned the research as extending existing leadership-engagement theory with Indian context evidence
- Submission Packaging: Wrote a custom cover letter highlighting novelty and scope fit
- First-Time Author Mentoring: Walked the researcher through every stage of the process
Publication Timeline
Week 1-2
Manuscript assessment and tier alignment
Week 3-4
SEM reporting restructuring
Week 5-6
Contribution framing and cover letter
Week 7
Submitted to Emerald Scopus Q3 journal
Week 14
Revision submitted
Outcome
Result
Paper accepted in [HRM/Management Journal] (Scopus Q3) within ~4 Months.
Academic Integrity Disclaimer
- The researcher maintained full intellectual ownership throughout the process
- Research Ramp's role was limited to strategic publication guidance and editorial support
- All data collection, analysis, and core research decisions were made by the researcher
- Client details are anonymised to protect confidentiality
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This case study describes Research Ramp's editorial and strategic publication support process. All client details have been anonymised. Research Ramp does not claim authorship of any published work. The researcher retains full intellectual ownership.