Q: How should I select a journal for my paper?
How can I pick the journals' strength and weakness?
Choosing the right journal for your research paper is a vital step in ensuring that your findings reach the right audience.
When you are assessing whether a journal is appropriate for your paper, the foremost thing you should check is the legitimacy of the journal. To avoid publishing in journals of sub-standard quality or falling into the trap of predatory journals, find out whether the journal is considered prestigious in your field. If it is, then this is a sign of the journal that has high publishing standards.
Moreover, always check the journal's website carefully. If it guarantees publication in a very short period of time, lacks contact details, fails to mention details about publication fees, etc. you should dive deeper and find out more information before coming to a decision regarding your submission.
A few other important things that you should check is whether the journal's scope matches your article's focus, whether it publishes an online copy of its publications, and whether it is open access or paywalled. Having a clear understanding of these will help you assess the audience and outreach of the journal, and you can then make an informed decision.
You will find further guidance in these posts, so please go through them:
- 3 "Principles of transparency" to help authors assess journal credibility
- INFOGRAPHIC: Think Check Submit checklist - Selecting the right journal for your research paper
- INFOGRAPHIC: 12 Actionable Tips for choosing the right journal for your paper
I hope this helps you.