How is a publication's level determined?
In the publication data collection, the level assigned to a publication is defined on the basis of the publication channel that determines its level. The publication is placed at the level assigned to the publication channel in the year in which the publication came out.
In the publication data collection, the level classification is applied to peer-reviewed scientific publication types A1–A4 and C1–C2. Determination of the level proceeds in two steps:
- Determine the type of the publication
- Identify the publication channel that corresponds to the publication type
Determine the type of the publication
First check if the publication meets the requirements for a peer-reviewed scientific publication. Then determine if the publication is of type A1, A2, A3, A4, C1 or C2.
Read more about determining the type of a publication
Identify the publication channel
The publication type determines if the level of a journal, publication series, conference or book publisher is applied to determining the level of a publication. The publication channel is identified by the ISSN or ISBN or the established name of a conference.
Read more about determining the publication channel
Level classification in the universities' funding model
The data obtained through the Ministry of Education and Culture’s publication data collection are used in the universities' funding model. In 2025–2028, a total of 14% of the universities' core funding is granted based on scientific and other publications.
Publications are weighted according to their publication types. A coefficient based on the publication channel's level is also applied to peer-reviewed scientific publications, in other words publication types A1–A4 and C1–C2.
| Publication type | Level 0 | Level 1 | Level 2 | Level 3 |
| A1 Journal article (refereed), original research | 0,1 | 1 | 3 | 4 |
| A2 Review article, Literature review, Systematic review | 0,1 | 1 | 3 | 4 |
| A3 Book section, chapters in research books | 0,1 | 1 | 3 | 4 |
| A4 Conference proceedings | 0,1 | 1 | 3 | 4 |
| C1 Book | 0,4 | 4 | 12 | 16 |
| C2 Edited book, conference proceedings or special issue of a journal | 0,1 | 1 | 3 | 4 |
Openly available peer-reviewed publications are also given a coefficient of 1.2. For example, a coefficient of 4.8 is applied to an openly access A1 article at level 3.
Coefficients of other publications in 2025–2028
The coefficients of non-peer-reviewed publications are determined by the publication type. The level of the publication channel does not affect their coefficients.
| Ministry of Education and Culture publication type | Publication type name | Coefficient |
| B1 | Non-refereed journal article | 0,1 |
| B2 | Book section | 0,1 |
| B3 | Non-refereed conference proceedings | 0,1 |
| D1 | Article in a trade journal | 0,1 |
| D2 | Article in a professional book | 0,1 |
| D3 | Professional conference proceedings | 0,1 |
| D4 | Published development or research report or study | 0,1 |
| D5 | Textbook, professional manual or guide | 0,4 |
| D6 | Edited professional book | 0,1 |
| E1 | Popularised article, newspaper article | 0,1 |
| E2 | Popularised monograph | 0,4 |
| E3 | Edited popular book | 0,1 |
Removal from the classification of level 3
In the update review of 2026, the Publication Forum's assessment panels will no longer place publication channels at level 3. The removal of level 3 will affect the level classification from 2027 onwards. This change has been coordinated with the universities' funding model period, and it will not affect the calculation of funding for 2025–2028. In the funding model, the publication is placed at the level assigned to the publication channel in the year in which the publication came out.
Responsible use of the level classification
The Publication Forum’s level classification is used in the funding model as one indicator describing universities' publishing activities. The funding model focuses on extensive publication datasets, and the level classification should not be used as a quality indicator for an individual publication or to assess and compare individual researchers and research units.
In keeping with the principles of responsible research metrics, quantitative indicators should support qualitative expert assessment rather than replace it. The level classification should be interpreted in conjunction with other assessment methods, taking the different publication practices of the disciplines into consideration.