NEUST GRADUATE SCHOOL'S RESEARCH JOURNAL THE QUEST RECEIVES INTERNATIONAL INDEXING APPROVAL

By: Allen Paul Esteban
Graduate School

Since its launch in October 2022 during the NEUST Graduate School's International Conference on Graduate Studies (GRADSCON), the online research journal publication "The Quest: Journal of Multidisciplinary Research and Development" has achieved a significant milestone by receiving approval for indexation from various international databases including Google Scholar, Crossref International, ICI Journals Master List - Copernicus, Zenodo, OpenAIRE, Academia.edu, ASEAN Citation Index (ASCI), and Philippine E-Journal (PEJ).

Led by Dr. Jocelyn B. Cruz (Dean of Graduate School) and Prof. Allen Paul L. Esteban (Chairperson of GS-RET), "The Quest" has published five issues to date and is currently accepting new articles for its upcoming Volume 3, Issue No. 1 June 2024 Edition. This first online journal of the University was made possible through the endorsement and approval of the Research Director, Prof. Marilene Hipolito, the Vice President for RET, Dr. Rachael Moralde, and former NEUST President Engr. Feliciana P. Jacoba.

"The Quest" publishes original research articles from various disciplines and interdisciplinary approaches, particularly in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM), Social Sciences, and Arts & Humanities. The journal is committed to disseminating research articles to the scientific community and is open to researchers from diverse fields of discipline. All manuscripts undergo a double-blind peer-review process to ensure quality and guard against plagiarism.

With 43 paper reviewers from the Philippines, Indonesia, Malaysia, Nepal, Japan, and India, "The Quest" maintains a 43% acceptance rate and a 45% rejection rate. The editorial board's current goal is to index the journal in the ASEAN Citation Index (ACI) this year to qualify for Scopus or Web of Science (WoS) indexing. The journal generates nearly 8,000 reaches, indicating the total number of times a unique user saw a link directed to the journal through Google search.

The journal's top-performing articles, based on Google, include "Lived Experiences of Filipino Young Leaders on Participation in Community Development in a Municipality in Northern Negros Occidental" by Reguindin, J. C. (2023); "Design and Development of an Information Kiosk with Log Monitoring for Leonor M. Bautista National High School" by Bulaclac, J., Peña, C., Mangulabnan, J., Bulacan, J.-M., Dulatre, J., Abes, J. E., & Briñas, J. (2023); and "The Marketing Practices in the Rabbit Meat Industry: Basis for a Marketing Plan" by De Leon, C., & Balaria, F. (2022).

Indexing the journal in major databases is crucial for increasing its visibility and impact. By being indexed, articles in "The Quest" can be cited by authors worldwide, enhancing the journal's reputation and readership. The editorial board continues to promote the journal for greater engagement and visibility of its articles, ensuring that valuable research reaches a global audience.