Developing a Mechanism to Elevate Research Quality Toward Q1 Journals: A Bibliometric-Based Approach

Abstract

This study analyzes the budget allocation mechanism of the Research, Innovation, and Academic Services Fund of the Faculty of Engineering, Khon Kaen University and its role in elevating publications to Q1 journals. Drawing on secondary data from the fund's income–expenditure records and publication databases for fiscal years 2021–2025, the analysis applies an INPUT–PROCESS–OUTPUT framework together with the Q1 ratio, the proportion of Q1 publications to total output, and descriptive statistics to assess the effectiveness of research investment. The results show that the Faculty's Q1 publications rose from 57 articles in 2021 to 94 in 2025, a 64.9 percent increase, while the Q1 ratio rose from 53.77 to 78.33 percent, even as the fund’s annual expenditure declined over the same period. This pattern reflects a clear qualitative shift toward higher-quality research output. The findings can inform the development of a policy mechanism that maximizes Q1 productivity under limited resources, supporting an efficient, transparent, and accountable research system that may serve as a prototype for other institutions seeking to sustainably elevate research quality to international standards.