Publishing your research is an important step in sharing your findings with the wider academic community. If you are new to scholarly publishing, it is worth taking the time to identify the most suitable publication outlet rather than submitting to the first journal you encounter. Choosing an appropriate journal can increase the visibility of your work, improve its reach and impact, and help you avoid questionable, or problematic publishers and predatory journals.

Develop a list of potential journals

Before submitting your manuscript, create a shortlist of around five to ten journals that align with your research area. The following dropdown panels highlight several ways you could identify suitable options.

Evaluating your options

Once you have a shortlist, compare each journal carefully before making a final decision.  Each of the following dropdown panels highlights items you should consider.

Making your final choice

The most important consideration is whether the journal is an appropriate home for your research. Carefully review the journal's aims, scope, and author guidance to ensure your manuscript aligns with its subject focus and publication priorities. Submitting to a journal that is well matched to your work can significantly improve your chances of a successful outcome.

This section of the GCU Library website is adapted from the University of Edinburgh’s Getting started with publishing webpage. The content has been reused and built upon with permission.