Dr. Martaria Rizky Rinaldi, M.Psi., a psychologist and lecturer at the Faculty of Psychology, Universitas Mercu Buana Yogyakarta (UMBY), shared strategies for publishing in reputable, Scopus-indexed international journals using secondary data research. The training session was attended by dozens of academics from various universities in Malang and took place at the Rayz Hotel UMM, Malang, on Saturday (September 5, 2026).

The event, titled "Scopus Publication Training via Secondary Data-Based Research," was organized by the Center for Women and Children Empowerment Studies (PSP2A) at the University of Muhammadiyah Malang (UMM). In addition to UMM faculty members, the training was attended by educators from UIN Maulana Malik Ibrahim Malang and the Islamic University of Malang (UNISMA).

In her presentation, Martaria explained that high-quality research does not always have to begin with primary data collection. Secondary data can serve as a rich research resource if researchers are able to formulate the right questions, understand data characteristics, and establish a clear scientific contribution.

"Secondary data does not equate to second-rate research. The quality of an article is ultimately determined by the strength of the research question, the accuracy of the analysis, the depth of interpretation, and the contribution made to the existing literature," said Martaria.

She also encouraged researchers to shift their perspective on international publication. According to her, the apprehension surrounding Scopus often stems from a lack of understanding regarding the full publication process.

"Scopus should not be viewed as something intimidating from the outset. Once we understand how to select research questions, grasp the characteristics of a journal, and structure an article according to scientific standards, the publication process becomes far more manageable and predictable," she added.

The Head of PSP2A UMM, Dr. Yulist Rima Fiandari, S.P., M.M., welcomed the training initiative. She highlighted the abundance of accessible national and international datasets that have not yet been optimally utilized by lecturers to boost scientific publication productivity. “We hope this training broadens lecturers' perspectives on research opportunities using secondary data while equipping them with new skills to better prepare them for producing international publications,” said Yulist.

The training, held from 09:00 to 16:00 WIB, was designed to be highly practical. Participants were guided through the process of mapping existing datasets to develop various research topics, identifying research gaps, formulating research questions, and drafting articles that align with the criteria of target journals.

One of the participants, Ratih, noted that the activity provided a fresh, more realistic perspective on the process of writing for international journals.

“After attending this training, I have a better understanding that achieving Scopus-indexed publication is a process that can be approached in stages. The explanation regarding secondary data also sparked new ideas about how research can be developed from data that is already available,” Ratih said.

At the end of the session, Martaria emphasized that Indonesian academics do not actually lack data; rather, they need to sharpen their ability to spot research opportunities within existing datasets. She noted that a single dataset could give rise to multiple research questions, provided each is backed by a solid theoretical foundation and offers a clear contribution.

The participation of UMBY lecturers in this forum is expected to strengthen the contribution of the university's Psychology faculty to the development of research capacity and scholarly publication across institutions. Through this training, academics are expected to gain greater confidence in utilizing secondary data and developing competitive articles for reputable international journals.