Which type of journals are generally considered higher tiered?

The assertion that subscription journals are generally considered higher tiered reflects common perceptions in the academic community. Subscription journals often have established reputations built over many years, are typically associated with well-regarded academic publishers, and often have rigorous peer-review processes that contribute to the perceived quality and reliability of the research published.

These journals usually maintain strict editorial standards and are selective about the studies they accept for publication, which helps to bolster their reputation. Many subscription journals also possess higher impact factors, a measure of how often articles within a journal are cited, which is often used as a proxy for journal quality and influence in the field.

Contrastingly, while open access journals can also be reputable, their quality can vary significantly, and some are perceived to prioritize profit over academic rigor due to article processing charges. Hybrid journals combine elements of both subscription and open access models, and while they can be reputable, they don't always carry the same status as traditional subscription journals. Non-peer-reviewed journals often lack the same level of scrutiny, making their credibility and research quality less reliable compared to peer-reviewed subscription journals.