The evaluation of law journals in Brazil: future perspectives in a scenario “after Qualis”

Abstract

The extinction of “Qualis Periódicos” by CAPES marks a transformation in the evaluation of scientific article production in Brazil, particularly in the field of Law. For years, Qualis was the main (and perhaps the only) criterion for classifying law journals in Brazil, influencing both scholars’ choice of periodicals and the evaluation of stricto sensu Graduate Programs. The system brought significant advancements, such as increased objectivity in evaluation, greater recognition of scientific journals, and the strengthening of peer review. However, it also faced criticism, including a lack of predictability in the early evaluation cycles, delays in classification, and the imposition of uniform criteria that were inadequate for certain fields. With CAPES' new methodology, the evaluation aims to focus on individual articles rather than just the journals that publish them. Each evaluation area will have the autonomy to adopt different criteria, combining bibliometric indicators, qualitative analysis of articles, and qualitative criteria for journals. In the case of Law, indexing in recognized databases such as Scopus, Web of Science, SciELO, and Redalyc emerges as a relevant parameter for assessing publication quality. The adaptation of law journals to the requirements of these indexing databases becomes essential to expanding the number of indexed periodicals. Measures such as improving editorial practices and adhering to international indexing standards are fundamental to ensuring the continued recognition of law journals within CAPES' new evaluation framework.