Journal selection process
Know the aim and scope of the journal.
Go through the type of content published in the journal.
Verify the credentials of the journal.
Identify the journal’s field of study.
Review the journal’s submission website.
Make sure to read the peer review and privacy policy offered by the site.
Learn about the tools and resources offered by the publication.
Learn about the journal’s manuscript submission guidelines and regulations.
A few pointers to make the journal selection process easy-:
Create a list of the currently available journals
Once you have completed your manuscript, you can create a list of all the journals that are open to submission. Know the field of study first and make sure that it is relevant to your research paper’s subject. Also, note down the submission time period and time is taken for consideration.
Know the Impact Factor
The best way to judge a journal’s quality is by knowing its Impact Factor. Quantitative measures are critical in determining the journal’s worth and quality of research work published in it. The citation rate will help you narrow down your research and choose the best journal accordingly.
Look for the standard identifiers
You can find plenty of standard identifiers such as ISSNs and DOIs while looking for a journal. International Standard Serial Number is a unique 8-digit serial number that is used for the purpose of identifying a publication. It’s one of the best ways to determine a publishing company’s authenticity. You can either search for the journal titles on the internet or verify the ISSN.
Double check the submission requirements
The manuscript submission and formatting process are different for every journal. You can review the work published by the journal to understand the style of the articles and research papers published there. Your work should be in accordance with the journal’s requirements.
Find out the mode of distribution
Finding out whether the journal publishes research papers in print or online only has a sway over making the right decision. For an online journal, you can find out the total number of subscribers, whereas, for print, you can review the past sales of the journal.
Find out the restrictions imposed by the journal
Prepare a list of do’s and don’ts to ensure that you make no mistakes while submitting your research paper for review. For example, you cannot submit a thesis to a journal that only accepts articles or reports. Since journals have a word count limit, considering the word count before selecting a suitable journal is important to avoid rejection. You should also consider the total average cost of publishing and submission fee.
Explore the journal’s database
You should always go with a journal that is well indexed and has enough coverage in the database. If this is your first time reviewing the journal, you can start by checking DOAJ, that is, ‘Directory of Open Access Journals.
Access online tool and resources
You can use online resources such as Think. Check. Submit. The online portal helps researchers find a reliable journal in line with their field of research. You can also access a wide range of tools and resources to look for a journal publisher, follow the protocol, and submit your work for review.
Follow the above-mentioned tips to collect relevant information about the journal and make a well-informed decision.
