Many researchers are constantly producing quality research to advance their careers as well as contributing to the body of the literature in their area of research. After writing a well-polished manuscript, one of the most important tasks in the publication process is searching for and choosing the most suitable journal to publish the work.
Most authors can agree that this endeavor is one of the most time-consuming and laborious steps in the publication process. If you do not do your due diligence in finding a journal that aligns with your research, your chances of rejection will increase. After all, one of the top reasons editors-in-chief of academic journals reject manuscripts is due to the content being outside the journal’s aims and scope.
With thousands of academic journals from which to choose, it can be incredibly difficult for authors to compile an excellent list of reputable journals and find a journal that perfectly matches the content of their manuscript. In this blog, you will discover some useful methods that will help with your search and increase your chances of acceptance.
Check Your Works Cited
One of the first places to look for relevant, reputable journals that might publish your manuscript is your works cited list. Since the sources in this list already pertain to your research, it is probable that the journals in which they are published align with the content in your manuscript.
After uncovering which journals published your sources, we highly suggest that you thoroughly read each journal’s aim and scope to make sure your manuscript falls within its desired topics. You will also want to assess the journal’s qualifications by checking its impact factor and indices.
What Is an Impact Factor and Why Is It Important?
Understanding a journal’s impact factor is essential for authors and scholars who plan on publishing their work. An impact factor (IF) evaluates the average frequency that articles from an indexed academic journal have been cited throughout a given year. For example, if a journal has an impact factor of 5.197 for the year 2021, that means that each of the journal’s articles were cited an average of 5.197 times in 2021. The number of times a journal’s articles have been cited reflects the weight the journal carries in a specific research area.
An impact factor is especially useful when you compare two very similar journals as it can help you decide which journal will provide you with a greater chance of being cited. And the more times your manuscript is cited, the higher its credibility will become.
What Is Indexing and Why Is It Important?
It is equally important to assess a journal’s indices when you are considering publishing your work in it. The only way for your manuscript to impact its audience is by making it discoverable, which is achievable through indexing. When a journal is indexed, it is immediately available to the indexing provider’s users, which makes the articles published within the journal easier to find.
By consulting a journal’s indices, you will be able to gauge the visibility and reach of your work once it is published.
Use eContent Pro (eCPro)’s Journal Identifier Database (JiD)
If you are struggling to compile a preliminary list of journals or do not have time to research all the details yourself, there are several journal finder tools that can help you, such as eContent Pro (eCPro)’s Journal Identifier Database (JiD).
JiD is a journal matching tool that analyzes the coverage and metrics of 3,000+ scholarly peer-reviewed journals in over 10 subject areas, including medicine, environmental science, government and law, library and information science, etc. In order to ensure the credibility of each journal in the database, JiD only recommends journals published by academic publishers that are recognized by the Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE). One of our main goals in offering this free tool is to decrease the risk of authors falling prey to the many predatory journals currently in the market.
The tool itself is very user-friendly. All you do is identify your current research subject, provide a few keywords, and write a brief description of your manuscript. After you click “Find Journals,” JiD gives you up to five free journal suggestions based on the data you entered. You can also use the tool to generate suggestions for a different manuscript if you have more than one. There’s no limit!
If JiD’s results do not provide you with exactly what you were looking for, then you have the option to take the process a step further by utilizing eCPro’s paid Journal Recommendation Service. If you follow through with this service, our expert journal selectors will read through your entire document and provide a minimum of five journal recommendations that directly suit your research. Even though the expert journal selectors cannot guarantee your manuscript will be accepted by the recommended journals they provide, this service will ensure that you are submitting your work to the most relevant publication possible.
The Bottom Line
If you think your manuscript is almost ready for journal submission, then check out our blog. We have plenty of useful content that can help you with writing, understanding the publication process, and more.
On the other hand, if you want to increase your manuscript’s chances of acceptance, then you should consider getting it copy edited by one of our professional editors before you submit it to a journal. Journal editors receive hundreds of documents to review, and if your manuscript is not thoroughly edited before submission, it can be thrown aside in an instant. Having your work copy edited is a smart investment because it ensures the smoothest submission process possible.
At eCPro, we provide an array of editorial and publishing services. Whether you’re looking to improve your grammar, enhance the visual elements in your manuscript, or strengthen the quality of your research, our experts ensure that the services they provide to you are of the highest quality. We pride ourselves in our commitment to quality and competitive turnaround. In fact, at no extra cost, you can expect to receive your final materials within two to three business days!
Contact us to learn more or request a free quote today.
