{"id":2912,"date":"2022-09-07T20:06:41","date_gmt":"2022-09-07T20:06:41","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/researcher.life\/blog\/?p=2912"},"modified":"2024-02-19T11:55:37","modified_gmt":"2024-02-19T11:55:37","slug":"journal-selection-process","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/researcher.life\/blog\/article\/journal-selection-process\/","title":{"rendered":"Journal Selection Process: The Essential Guide for Smart Researchers"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Photo by Pixabay from Pexels<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

For most authors, the journal selection process is a challenge, and understandably so. There are about 42,500 peer-reviewed journals and 11,811 open-access journals,1<\/sup>\u00a0and this number is only growing with new journals, including predatory titles, being launched every year. For many, getting their research published is the ultimate goal, however, there is evidence to support the fact that a scientist\u2019s standing within the research community is based on both the quantity and quality of his\/her publications.2<\/sup>\u00a0That\u2019s not all, authors also have to deal with the long wait times after submission and soaring rejection rates, which makes choosing the right journal crucial for publishing success. To make it easier for you, we\u2019ve listed the most important points to keep in mind to simplify your journal selection for publication.<\/p>\n

There are thousands of journals to choose from, Elsevier alone publishes about 2,500 active journals,3<\/sup>\u00a0so start your journal selection process by narrowing down your options<\/strong>. First, review the journals you read for your own research or do a literature search for articles with a similar scope and impact as yours and see where they\u2019re published. Another tip for choosing the right journal<\/a> is to tap your network of colleagues, advisors, and association members for recommendations and do an online search, using relevant keywords, to identify top journals in your field. Remember to also consider the significance of your work and the readership you are targeting to find a journal that matches your expectations.<\/p>\n

Another important thing to know in the journal selection process is that journals can be very specific about their subject area, some focus only on a particular aspect within a larger field of study, so be sure to do a comprehensive review before starting the process of journal selection for publication. Browse official websites to\u00a0learn more about the journal\u2019s aims and scope,<\/strong>\u00a0including restrictions on the type of articles accepted, before you decide to submit or you face almost certain rejection. Apart from choosing the right journal that can give you the best chance of acceptance, it is important to ensure your research is also easy to find and consume. Here, the\u00a0journal\u2019s visibility, audience, readership and impact are key considerations<\/strong>\u00a0in your journal selection process. One way to do this is by checking if your target journal is indexed in subject-specific databanks, including electronic databases, and available online. Also find out how well known or read the journal is, and how well it compares with others who publish similar research.<\/p>\n

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Fig 1: Mean importance given for each factor by research authors in two domains.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

*Source: Criteria for the journal selection process in an open access environment: A comparison between the medicine and social sciences, Wiley Online Library.<\/em><\/p>\n

Once you complete the above checks, you will likely have eliminated unsuitable journals from your list. This is where you fine-tune your journal selection process by reviewing critical aspects such as the\u00a0author guidelines, time taken for decisions and publication, publication charges, open-access options, the peer review<\/a> process, and the acceptance and rejection rates.<\/strong>\u00a0Following these key steps when choosing the right journal will help you shortlist at least three top matches for your research.<\/p>\n

Expert tip:<\/u><\/em>\u00a0Some publishers allow manuscripts to be transferred between journals under its portfolio; so, considering journals that have this option might help you save time with resubmissions, reformatting, and, in some cases, even peer reviews.4<\/sup><\/p>\n

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