Selecting a Target Journal

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Some journals only publish certain research types or are inclined to accept certain research types over others. For example, journals that are highly theoretical expect theoretically-oriented research and may reject practical research due to a potential lack of conceptual underpinnings.

Thus, it is important to select a publication venue that fits your research type as well as topic or field. You may have already determined a publication venue, maybe because there are only a few options or perhaps you’ve discussed this topic with your research mentor. Regardless of what stage you are at, there are a few points you need to consider.

First of all, not all journals are created equal. Some journals are higher quality than others, often due to the qualifications of the editorial board, the rigor of the review process, and the reputation within a field. Of note is that some journals may be classified as predatory, or journals that are more interested in the advancement of the journal itself than in the advancement of knowledge. A key to avoiding these journals is to know what you are looking for in a quality publication venue.

Here are some key considerations:

• • Aim or scope. As stated previously, some journals may focus on certain types of research. They may also focus on specific genres of research, like an emphasis on state-of-the-art reviews rather than empirical work.
  • Audience. You want to target journals that have recently published similar research as an indicator of their interest in your work. Knowing your audience will also help you focus your messaging and determine the amount of background information you need to present on your topic in order for your readers to grasp your research context.
  • Fees. In some fields, it’s rather normal to have to pay some fees to get your article published or to make your article open access or to have images in color. But, be careful! In other fields, this is definitely not the norm and more representative of a predatory journal.
  • Open access options. There are some journals that are open access and highly regarded in different fields. These are rare, but they are definitely out there. If you find value in having your study more widely available, then an open access option may be what you are looking for. Other options may be open datasets or open supplemental material. When choosing open source, you should also become familiar with creative commons licensing to understand how your work is protected.
  • Quality. Journals are often considered low-range, mid-range, or top-tier. Whenever in doubt about the quality of a journal, it is best to consult a research mentor. Impact factors have come under some criticism lately, but they still exist and in some fields they are quite relevant. Impact factors are based on multiple metrics, but the most common is the number of citations to recent articles a journal receives—an indication of the journal’s overall reach.
  • Time to publication. If you are a student or early-career faculty, sometimes time to publication is key to your next job or promotion. This is also important if you have a cutting-edge study that you must publish as soon as possible. Some journals have started reporting time to publication on each publication near author information. If not available, you could consider contacting colleagues who have published in the journal previously to hear their experience.

It’s also important to note that sometimes top-tier journals are not the best venue for your research. Of course, those are the journals to aim for and publish in eventually, but if you are just starting out, it’s best to get some expert advice because mid-range journals may be a better option. So, which of these considerations is most relevant to you? Take some time to explore three to five journals in your field for match of scope, audience, quality, time to publication, open access options, and fees.