Chief Editor's Note

Dear Authors of the Brazilian Journal of Development (BJD),

I am writing to you on this occasion as Editor-in-Chief of the Brazilian Journal of Development (BJD) to share important information about the classification assigned by CAPES to our journal in the 2017-2020 Quadrennial Assessment process with classification C. This letter has the main objective of providing clarifications and present our appeal to ensure transparency and fairness in the qualification process.

I would like to highlight, firstly, that we presented this appeal in a timely manner shortly after the publication of these results, within the deadline established in Circular Letter No. 18/2022-GAB/PR/CAPES, which guides the filing of appeals related to the Qualis classification on the Sucupira Platform. Our objective is to ensure that our arguments are considered and that CAPES has access to the information and justifications necessary for an adequate reassessment.

With regard to the right to lodge an appeal, we are based on Circular Letter No. 18/2022-GAB/PR/CAPES, which guarantees us this right. Furthermore, we support our appeal in article 5, item XXXIV, of the Federal Constitution, which guarantees the right to petition for legal entities, as well as in the provisions of Law 9784/1999 that regulate administrative resources.

I would now like to present some relevant facts about the evaluation process and about the Brazilian Journal of Development (BJD).

With regard to the evaluation of journals, we recognize the challenge faced by CAPES in classifying/stratifying the Qualis system. We understand that this process occurs in a context of transformation of the postgraduate evaluation system in the country, considering the appreciation of the economic and social impact of the programs, as well as the contribution to public policies. However, we emphasize that it is important to preserve and value training and research agendas aimed at economic and social development.

Regarding the Brazilian Journal of Development (BJD), I would like to highlight that our journal has been edited and published since 2015 with a commitment to contributing to the dissemination of scientific knowledge. BJD covers a wide range of multidisciplinary areas and seeks to promote innovative research through the publication of original scientific articles, technical reports, case studies and review articles.

We have an experienced and committed editorial team, which follows systematic procedures to guarantee the quality of the publication and the scientific rigor of the articles published. Our journal has adopted international guidelines to ensure peer review and academic excellence.

It is important to highlight the citation metrics indicators that demonstrate the quality and credibility of the Brazilian Journal of Development. According to visibility and recognition metrics, the journal accumulated more than 8,200 citations, demonstrating a significant increase in the last 2 years, with emphasis on the year 2022, in which published articles received 2,976 citations. These numbers resulted in an H index = 26 and an i10 index = 276, indicating the relevance and impact of the publications.

On Google Scholar, the Brazilian Journal of Development has an h5 index = 24 and h5-median = 33, where the journal is classified as the 100th Brazilian journal with the best citation metrics.

Another relevant indicator, when using the "Search" research tool in the Scopus database, we found that the journal received more than 600 citations, with more than 400 in the year 2022 alone. These numbers reinforce the growth trend both nationally and internationally of citations of articles published in our magazine.

These citation metrics indicators are solid evidence of the quality and impact of research published in the Brazilian Journal of Development. We believe that these metrics reflect the recognition and relevance of our journal in the academic and scientific community, strengthening our position as a prominent publication in the area of ​​development.

Regarding the issue of republication of articles in other languages, it is important to clarify that, according to the guidelines established by CAPES, republication of the same article, even in another language, is considered a practice of self-plagiarism and is not accepted. As a scientific journal, we value academic integrity and the originality of research. We are committed to ensuring that all contributions published in our journal are genuine and represent an advance in scientific knowledge. We believe that this stance strengthens the quality of research and preserves ethics in scientific production.

Furthermore, we would like to address the dissatisfaction of some authors with the grade given to the Brazilian Journal of Development (BJD). We recognize that we are not alone in this perception, as we have received reports from other authors who share the same opinion and who also do not agree with the classification given to the journal. This expression of support demonstrates the importance and recognition that the journal has in the scientific community, as well as the positive impact of our articles on the advancement of knowledge.

We reiterate the importance of this resource to ensure a fair and accurate reassessment of the Brazilian Journal of Development (BJD) classification by CAPES. We are ready to provide any additional information that may be necessary to clarify the points made and strengthen our arguments.

We appreciate your attention and sincerely hope that CAPES will carefully consider our justifications by reevaluating the Brazilian Journal of Development (BJD) classification based on transparent and impartial criteria. As soon as we obtain the results of this appeal, we will officially publish it on our portal, maintaining the transparency, care and respect that we dedicate to all our authors, readers and contributors to the journal.

Yours sincerely,

Editor-in-Chief
Brazilian Journal of Development (BJD)