Need Help with Journal Publishing and Submission

Hello Sandeep,

This is such a great question! I recall having this question when I first earned my doctorate and didn't really know where to begin in regard to publishing. While my response is relatively long, I hope I have given you information that will truly help you and your research journey.

That all being said, I would like to share a few suggestions based on my own experiences with journal publishing and manuscript submissions. Over the years, I've developed a process that has helped me identify appropriate journals, navigate the submission process, and improve the likelihood of successful publication.

Finding the Right Journal

One of the first things I do is ensure that the journal is legitimate and not a predatory publication. Two resources I recommend checking are Scopus and Cabells Directory. Both can help you evaluate journals, although I would recommend checking their current indexing status and reviewing additional information about the publication before submitting. Another helpful resource is "Think. Check. Submit." (https://thinkchecksubmit.org/), which provides a checklist to help researchers identify trustworthy journals.

Once I've identified several legitimate journals, I begin reviewing their websites to understand their primary focus, objectives, topical areas, and intended audience. I want to make sure my research aligns with what they are looking to publish.

One thing I strongly recommend is reading the abstracts of previously published articles, along with their associated keywords. This gives you a much better understanding of the types of research the journal accepts and whether your manuscript would be a good fit. You don't want to waste anyone's time, especially your own, by submitting a manuscript to a journal that isn't interested in your particular area of research.

Also, remember that you can generally submit your manuscript to only one journal at a time. Simultaneous submissions of the same manuscript are prohibited by most reputable academic journals. Copyright and publication rights vary depending on the publisher and the agreement you sign, so be sure to understand those terms before accepting an offer to publish.

Consider Presenting at a Conference First

One recommendation I would strongly encourage, particularly if you are relatively new to research and publishing, is submitting your work to an academic conference before submitting it to a journal.

I have received some wonderful feedback from conference attendees and fellow researchers that helped me improve my manuscripts before submitting them for journal consideration. Sometimes, a conversation with someone who has experience in your research area can provide an entirely different perspective or help you identify something you hadn't considered.

Essentially, you've had an opportunity to share your research, receive feedback, and make improvements before entering the formal journal review process.

One important consideration: Some conferences publish their proceedings, and journals have different policies regarding previously published conference papers. Always check the journal's submission guidelines to determine whether an expanded version of your conference paper is eligible for consideration. If needed, you can always edit the paper that was published in the conference proceedings and change it enough so it is a different version that can now be submitted to a journal.

Be Careful of Predatory Publishers

If you ever receive an unsolicited email from a publisher promising to publish your manuscript, be cautious. Many predatory publishers use these tactics to attract researchers, particularly those who are building their publication portfolios. I generally send those types of emails directly to my spam folder.

One clarification worth mentioning is that not all legitimate journals offer free publication. Traditional subscription-based journals frequently do not charge authors, while legitimate open-access journals may charge an article processing fee (APC). These fees can vary considerably. What you want to look for is transparency. Reputable journals disclose their fees, explain what they cover, and make their publishing policies readily available. Never assume that a journal is legitimate simply because it charges a relatively small fee or claims to be indexed in a particular directory.

Don't Become Too Focused on Acceptance Rates

If you are just beginning your research journey, I wouldn't necessarily worry too much about acceptance rates initially. Many journal websites provide this information, although not all do.

For example, you might find a journal reporting an acceptance rate of 15–18%. In simple terms, that means approximately 15 to 18 out of every 100 submitted manuscripts are accepted.

While acceptance rates can provide some insight into how selective a journal is, they aren't necessarily an indication of the journal's overall quality. Consider other factors, including its reputation, indexing, editorial standards, peer-review practices, and relevance to your research.

When you are starting out, I would encourage you to focus on finding reputable journals that are a good fit for your research rather than immediately targeting the most selective publications. Building your publication portfolio takes time, and gaining experience with the submission and review process is incredibly valuable.

Understanding the Peer-Review Process

One of the things I look for when selecting a journal is its peer-review process. I particularly like journals that use double-blind peer review, where neither the reviewers nor the authors know one another's identities during the review process.

Typically, you will create an account on the journal's submission website. Within your account, you will find an area where you can upload your manuscript and supporting materials. If the journal uses double-blind review, you will generally submit an anonymized manuscript without your name or institutional affiliation. You may also need to upload a separate title page containing your identifying information.

The manuscript then goes through an initial editorial screening. If it meets the journal's requirements and is considered appropriate for the publication, it may be sent to reviewers. Typically, two or more reviewers evaluate the manuscript, although the number varies by journal.

If the reviewers believe your manuscript has potential, you may receive comments, suggested revisions, and recommendations for improvement. This is where the revision and resubmission process begins. Sometimes you will receive a request for minor revisions, while other times the reviewers may identify more substantial areas that need attention.

Don't be discouraged by revision requests! They are a normal part of academic publishing and can actually make your research much stronger.

Preparing Your Manuscript for Submission

As far as increasing your chances of acceptance, one of the most important things you can do is read EVERYTHING on the journal's website regarding submission requirements.

Pay particular attention to formatting, manuscript length, reference requirements, abstract structure, keywords, and any specific sections the journal expects. Many publications even provide a manuscript template.

I cannot emphasize enough how important it is to follow these guidelines. Editors receive numerous submissions, and a manuscript that doesn't follow the journal's requirements may be returned before it even reaches the reviewers.

If you have questions, don't hesitate to contact the editor or associate editor. Most journals provide contact information, and editors are generally willing to answer reasonable questions about the journal's scope and submission requirements. Remember, they are looking for quality research to publish, too!

And... Now We Wait!

This is probably the hardest part of the entire process: waiting.

Some journals may take several months to respond, while others may provide an initial decision within two or three months. You can sometimes find information about average review and decision timelines on the journal's website. Just remember that these are estimates and actual timelines can vary.

Finally, I want to emphasize that publishing can sometimes be a numbers game. There have been many occasions when I've received a response from an editor, even before the manuscript went through peer review, explaining that my submission wasn't quite the right fit for their journal. It's generally a polite rejection, and that's perfectly okay. You simply identify another journal that may be a better fit and submit your work there.

It happens to all of us, even those of us who have been in higher education for nearly 30 years and have accumulated quite a few publications along the way!

My biggest piece of advice is this: Don't take rejection personally. I realize that's much easier said than done, especially when you've invested considerable time and effort into your research. However, a rejection doesn't necessarily mean your research isn't valuable or that your manuscript isn't worthy of publication. Sometimes it simply means you've submitted it to the wrong journal.

Keep researching, keep writing, listen to the feedback you receive, and don't give up. Each submission and review experience helps you become a stronger researcher and writer.

Best of luck to everyone embarking on their research and publishing journey!

Jen