Often, selecting a Scopus/Web of Science listed journal to publish is not an easy task for a researcher. Thousands of journals are indexed in these databases, and it is important for scientists to be able to select the most appropriate journal to publish their work. But where to start and how to avoid making a mistake? How to successfully publish an article in a truly top-rated journal and not fall victim to scammers? The complete process of selecting a journal in 10 pro tips from Scientific Publications!
1. Regulatory requirements
Before starting to work on your study, please make sure you are thoroughly familiar with all the regulatory requirements, relevant to your research goals. For example, if a scientist wants to be published to be awarded a scientific title, consider precisely how many articles are required, in which databases and with what scientometric indicators.
2. Which is better? Scopus or Web of Science?
Select in which database you would like to publish. It is impossible to determine which is better, Scopus or Web of Science, these platforms are complementary. Therefore, it is necessary to look at the features of the databases and determine which one to focus on.
3. Subject area
Look over your material again and determine to which disciplines is it relevant. It is especially important to consider in the case of narrow-focus articles. Select journals that are most relevant to the nature of your study.
4. Indexing status check
It is important to check the indexing in Scopus or Web of Science before submitting an article. If a journal has been delisted from a database, publication in it will not be credited for its scientific purpose. It is also important to note that journals sometimes engage in blatantly fraudulent or predatory activity, claiming to be indexed in Scopus or Web of Science, even when this is not the case.
5. Scientometric indicators
Analyse the scientometric indicators of the journals you are interested in. You can determine the journal's credibility and whether it is suitable for achieving a scientific goal (pay particular attention to the quartile and percentile metrics). Also, this stage can reveal whether the journal is conducting its activities conscientiously.
6. Journal website
Check the website of the journal you have chosen to publish with. Ask yourself a few questions:
- Is the website designed well?
- How are the main sections structured?
- What requirements does the journal impose on the submissions?
- Material on which subjects is most often published?
- Is your study consistent with previously published material in terms of subject and material characteristics?
After that, determine whether the article is eligible for publication in the journal.
7. Instructions for authors
Once you have selected a journal for publication, pay particular attention to the requirements for the article and the guidelines for authors. This information is also available on the journal's website. Submit all necessary files according to the requirements of the journal, and make a final check of submission.
8. Payment
Learn what kind of business model the journal operates under. Usually, closed-access journals do not charge a fee for submitting material; payment is charged to readers. Publication fees are foreseen if:
- It is an open-access journal. The author pays a publication fee and their article is available for review and citation by other researchers.
- The fees charged to the authors partially cover the costs of the publication.
- Under the model that provides for a submission fee, this fee is also paid by the authors. Rather than a publication fee, it is a payment for submitting an article and having it considered by the editorial board, with no guarantee of further publication.
There are also journals that do not charge either authors or readers. In this case, a journal usually has a sponsor who covers all publication costs.
9. Alternative options
We recommend opting for two or three journals, rather than just one, at the stage of selecting a journal to publish in. This will speed up the process of submitting an article to another journal in case the first choice declines. However, if you are confident in your abilities, then it is perfectly fine to focus solely on one option.
Note! Do not violate publication ethics. It is strictly forbidden to submit the same article to multiple journals at the same time!
10. Specialised services
Use the services to search for relevant journals. This can provide an additional useful resource for deciding on a journal for publication, combined with your own analysis.
The principle of cooperation with such platforms implies that the user enters the metadata of their article, or sometimes part of its text. The service then advises on the most suitable journals.
You can use such services:
- Elsevier Journal Finder
- Springer Journal Suggester
- Wiley Journal Finder
- Taylor & Francis Journal Suggester
Scientific Publications are particularly considerate in the process of selecting a journal for publication. In the first stage, we review over 200 relevant journal options, assess their scientometric indicators, and specifics of issue formation and engage with representatives of publishers and publishing houses. Our experts then select the journal that best meets all the criteria for publication.
Need assistance with publication in Scopus and Web of Science indexed journal? Contact our team right now!
