What Is EI Compendex? A Beginner's Guide for Researchers
Dec 26, 2025

If you are searching for EI Compendex, chances are you are asking one of these practical questions:

  • Does this conference count as an EI conference?
  • Is an EI paper enough for graduation or promotion?
  • How is EI different from Scopus or SCI for engineering research?

This guide focuses on clear, actionable answers, not abstract definitions, helping you decide where and how to publish an EI paper effectively.

What Exactly Is EI Compendex?

EI Compendex (Engineering Index Compendex) is a specialized engineering database that indexes peer-reviewed engineering journals and conference proceedings.

Unlike general academic databases, EI Compendex focuses strictly on:

  • Engineering
  • Applied technology
  • Practical and experimental research

If a paper is indexed by EI Compendex, it is commonly referred to as an EI paper.

If a conference's proceedings are indexed by EI Compendex, it is called an EI conference.

EI Conference vs. EI Journal: Which Should You Choose?

For many engineering researchers, this is the most important decision.

EI Conference Papers

Best for:

  • Graduate students
  • Early-career researchers
  • Applied engineering projects

Advantages:

  • Faster review and publication
  • Clear EI indexing results
  • Strong acceptance of applied and technical work

EI Journal Papers

Best for:

  • Mature research projects
  • Longer-term academic evaluation

Disadvantages:

  • Longer review cycles
  • Higher rejection rates

In practice, most researchers obtain their first EI paper through EI conferences, not journals.

EI Compendex vs. Scopus vs. SCI (Quick Comparison)

Database Focus Conference Friendly Strength
EI Compendex Engineering & applied tech Yes Engineering-specific depth and technical relevance
Scopus Multidisciplinary (science, engineering, social sciences) Yes Broad coverage and citation analysis
SCI (WoS) High-impact scientific journals No Prestige and impact factor (IF)

If your research is engineering-oriented, an EI paper or EI conference publication is often more suitable and attainable than SCI journals, especially for applied and technical studies.

How to Identify a Real EI Conference (Avoid Mistakes)

Not all conferences claiming EI indexing are reliable. Before submitting, always check:

  1. Has the conference been indexed by EI Compendex in previous years?
  2. Are past proceedings searchable on Engineering Village?
  3. Is the publisher reputable (e.g., IEEE, Springer, Elsevier)?
  4. Does the conference scope clearly match your research topic?

How to Increase Acceptance for an EI Paper

To reduce rejection risk and revision cycles:

  • Focus on engineering application, not abstract theory
  • Clearly explain methods, experiments, and results
  • Follow international formatting standards strictly
  • Avoid over-claiming novelty

Upcoming International EI Compendex Conferences 2026