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Guide to Getting Published in Journals

A guide to help researchers and feel confident identifying suitable journals and preparing their paper for submission

Introduction

Publishing research and scholarly work in a highly regarded journal is a key part of academic careers. Finding a journal that will not only accept your work, but deliver it to an appropriately interested audience that will appreciate and find value in your contribution is an even greater achievement.

The barrier to using modern communication platforms and publication tools such as websites, blogs, and social media accounts is very low. It would be very easy to self-publish your own work through a range of platforms, so why, in the modern age, is it still important to publish research in a journal?

  • What do journals offer that self-publication routes cannot?
  • What difference is there between a high-profile, high-Impact Factor journal and one without an indexing metric?
  • Is a legacy journal with a long history better than a brand-new one?
  • Is a printed journal better than an online-only journal?
  • Is there a difference between the editorial processes of a subscription or open access journal?

As you begin your academic career in research and publishing, you may have asked these questions, and many more.

You may be an early career researcher looking to publish your first papers, or a course tutor looking for a convenient set of resources.

This guide has been developed to help authors navigate the process of selecting appropriate journals, and understand the range of factors which might influence the decisions of where to submit.

 

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