3 Tips for Choosing the Right Journal
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Before you choose a journal, you need an argument! 😊
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Now on to choosing a journal article for that now well-developed argument…
Submitting to the right journal can feel like trying to hit a moving target in the dark while the rules keep changing. You might aim carefully, but without knowing the journal’s hidden preferences—its audience, scope, and timeline—it’s hard to know if your article will land in the right place. For graduate students and other early-career scholars, this process can feel like a never-ending guessing game, full of near misses and frustration.
To help you sharpen your aim and find your mark, here are my top three tips for choosing the right journal:
1. Start with the Basics
The first place to look is the journal’s description. This will give you an idea of its scope, the kinds of questions it addresses, and its intended audience. However, descriptions can sometimes be misleading if you’re new to the field. A journal might claim to welcome “interdisciplinary” or “broadly theoretical” work, but in practice, its focus might be much narrower.
To get a clearer picture, dive into some recent issues. Look at the articles they’ve published in the past year or two. Ask yourself:
Does my work fit topically?
Does it align epistemologically and methodologically?
For example, some journals favor qualitative approaches, while others lean heavily quantitative. Knowing this can save you from a mismatch.
2. Consider Your Timeline
Time to publication can vary widely between journals, and this should play a role in your decision-making. Think about your current career stage and strategic goals.
When I was a grad student and later a visiting faculty member, I prioritized journals with quicker publication timelines. I couldn’t afford to wait three years for an article to appear in print when I needed publications to bolster my CV for job applications.
Later, in my tenure-track position, my priorities shifted. I chose journals with slower timelines but higher prestige in my field. For instance, submitting to a top-tier journal meant waiting longer, but it was worth it to strengthen my tenure case.
How can you find out a journal’s publication timeline?
Ask around. Colleagues, peers, or even social media can be great resources. (Academic Twitter used to be great for this and hopefully Bluesky can catch up!)
Look for publication data. Some journals list submission and publication dates in their articles, which can help you calculate an average timeline.
Contact the editor. If all else fails, don’t hesitate to email the journal editor and ask.
3. Consider the Editor and Editorial Board
Another important factor in choosing a journal is the reputation and expertise of its editor and editorial board. If you can gather this information through your networks or online research, it can provide valuable insight into how your submission will be handled.
Do the editors actively manage the review process? Some editors are known for stepping in when reviewers provide conflicting feedback or when a review process becomes stalled. Other’s have a more hands-off approach. You want an editor who is willing to advocate for your article.
Will the editors understand your project? Consider the editor's background; if they seem like they might be familiar with your subfield, they may be better able to ensure that it is sent to reviewers who are qualified to evaluate it fairly and constructively.
Is the editorial board relevant to your field? Check the journal’s website to see if there are people on the editorial board who specialize in your area of expertise. A well-aligned board increases the likelihood that your article will be reviewed by scholars who understand its nuances.
In sum
Choosing the right journal is part strategy, part intuition. It’s a balance of practical considerations like journal focus, timelines, and audience and personal factors like your career stage and goals.
If you’re early in your career and feel like you don’t have a strong network yet, don’t worry. Lean on senior faculty or more advanced peers. They’ve been through this process and can often point you in the right direction or share valuable insights about journals, editors, and review timelines. Don’t be afraid to ask questions; most people are happy to share their experiences.
Am I using articles from the journal in my citations or courses was/is useful.