Qualis Base and the induction of use of journals in Psychology area

Abstract

The present research, of exploratory nature, aims at verifying whether the Qualis base, once implemented, has led researchers to the use of journals classified therein, especially those with A concept, published nationwide. For that aim, we have defined as the object of study, the Qualis classified journals on Psychology, and, as our research context, the Graduate Program in Psychology (Programa de Pós-Graduação em Psicologia) of the Pontifícia Universidade Católica de Campinas, in the state of São Paulo, Brazil. The universe we have researched was composed of a sample of thesis and dissertations completed during the period of 1997- 2002, besides a population of graduate students enrolled in the Program, candidates to the Master and Ph.D. degrees. The methodological procedures employed herein are the citation analysis and the questionnaire application. The analysis of results has shown that a journal's maximum classification awarded by Qualis, did not effectively lead to the use of such journal. Therefore, the conclusion is that the consensus (evaluation by their piers) upon which the Qualis base establishes its classification of scientific journals in Psychology, is not reflected on the consensus of the segments (professors and graduate students) at the analyzed Program.