To a considerable extent, the visibility and citation rate of a publication depend on the journal chosen by the author. Each publication has its own audience, thematic profile and a range of other characteristics that can either increase an article's recognition among researchers or leave it unnoticed by the academic community. This is precisely why it is essential to take a comprehensive approach to selecting a journal and to conduct a thorough analysis of its indicators. What should be given particular attention? Which search algorithm is the most effective? Let us discuss this in more detail in today's article.
How to choose a journal for publication?
Before breaking down the step-by-step plan for choosing a journal, it is worth mentioning one of the most common mistakes that authors frequently make. This refers to the fact that a significant proportion of researchers first complete writing their article and only then begin selecting a journal for it.
Admittedly, such an approach to structuring the workflow is not critical. However, in cases where authors postpone choosing a journal, they risk spending too much time reworking the article and adapting it to the editorial requirements. The process of writing a manuscript can be substantially optimised if you follow the instructions for authors in advance, which are usually posted on the journal's official website. For more details on how to properly adapt an article to the requirements of a specific journal, read the article at this link.
Now let us look at several simple steps that will help you choose a relevant journal.
1. Conduct a thematic search for articles similar to yours
If you do not have a specific journal in mind in which you would like to place your article, you can work backwards. What does this mean? It means that you first need to search for articles whose topics are as close as possible to your own.
For example, if your article is devoted to the use of artificial intelligence in the diagnosis of oncological diseases, you can take into account publications on related topics, in particular the application of machine learning methods in medical diagnostics. Journals that publish similar research are highly likely to be suitable for your article as well.
2. Compile a selection of journals
Once you have searched for articles and compiled a list of the most relevant ones, you need to compile a selection of the journals in which they were published. Next, you should familiarise yourself with the thematic focus of each journal (this information can usually be found in the "Aims & Scope" section on the journal's official website) and filter out those that do not correspond to the topic of your research. As a result, you should be left with a list of several journals that are best suited for further detailed analysis.
3. Find out the type of articles the journal publishes
It is important to remember that there is by no means only one format of journal in the scientific field. This may include an original research article, a review article, a meta-analysis, a short communication, a case report, a case series, and so on. It should be noted here that not every scientific journal accepts the full range of possible formats.
This is precisely why, once you have compiled your selection of journals (the principle of creating which we described in the previous point), you need to check whether each of them publishes exactly the type of article you have written.
4. Check the type of access
Another aspect that directly affects the visibility of a scientific article is the journal's type of access. In general, there are two main models: the traditional model and Open Access. Each of them establishes different conditions for placing an article.
The traditional type involves users taking out a subscription in order to gain access to the necessary materials. The author of the article, on the other hand, is not obliged to pay a publication fee.
In the case of Open Access, everything works the other way around. Users have the opportunity to freely read and use articles, while the costs of publication are covered by the author.
Why does this matter? The fact is that the financial burden on the author depends on the journal's type of access. If the author does not clarify the journal's operating model in advance, there is a risk of encountering unexpected costs after the article has already been accepted by the editorial board. For more details on how a scientific journal's type of access affects the citation of an article, read the article at this link.
5. Analyse the scientometric indicators
The final step is to assess the journal's scientometric indicators. At this stage, you need to analyse the journal's profile in Scopus or Web of Science and determine how actively other researchers cite the articles placed in it.
If we are talking about the Scopus database, the main indicators reflecting a journal's level of citation are CiteScore, SJR and SNIP. Each of these assesses different aspects of citation:
- CiteScore shows the average number of citations received by one article in the journal over four years
- SJR takes into account not only the number of citations, but also the authority of the journals from which these citations come
- SNIP makes it possible to correctly compare journals from different scientific fields by normalising the indicator to take into account the specific citation practices within a particular discipline
However, if the journal is indexed in Web of Science, the key indicator for assessing its influence is the Journal Impact Factor (JIF) – a metric that reflects the average number of citations received by the journal's articles over the previous two years. In addition to the JIF, it is worth paying attention to the Journal Citation Indicator (JCI) – an indicator that, unlike the JIF, makes it possible to correctly compare journals from different subject areas, since it takes into account the specific citation practices within a particular discipline.
In order to choose a relevant journal, it is necessary to think strategically and comprehensively. Taking our recommendations into account, you will be able to carry out a detailed analysis, avoid mistakes and successfully publish your article.
If you require the support of specialists for publication in Scopus or Web of Science, contact Scientific Publications. We will help you choose a high-quality and reliable journal, format your article in accordance with its requirements, and support you at every stage of the process. Would you like to receive a free consultation? Fill in the form below, and our manager will answer all your questions. Together towards new scientific achievements!
