Publishing Journal Articles: Factors you may consider
Publishing journal articles is a key part of academic scholarship. The process of selecting where to publish can be complex and depends on your research topic, goals, and circumstances. This section outlines major considerations and tools to help guide your decisions.
Key Factors to Consider
When choosing a journal for your article, consider the following factors:
- Audience: Who is your intended reader? Consider the main message of your article and the audience most likely to find it valuable.
- Journal's scope & purpose: Consider the kind of articles a journal publishes. Does it align with your subject area and research focus?
- Journal's performance: How is the journal ranked in a discipline? What's the journal's impact? Common metrics include Impact Factor, CiteScore, and other indicators of research influence.
- Reviewing process: Is it a peer-reviewed journal? If so, what type of peer review does it use—single-blind, double-blind, or open review?
- Tip: See Wiley’s guide to different types of peer-review and their pros and cons.
- Publishing cycle: How long does it take for an article to get published? How frequently does the journal publish?
- Acceptance rate: How difficult is it for a manuscript to be accepted for publishing?
- Visibility & findability: Is the journal selected in important or widely used databases in your discipline?
- Open Access Options: Does the journal offer open access? What are the associated fees and licensing options?
- Cost: How much does it charge for publishing? Are there article processing charges (APCs) or other fees? Some open access journals charge significant publication fees.
