Figuring out where to publish research can be daunting, particularly because new journals and publishers are emerging all the time and some are not reputable. But there’s a resource to help build knowledge and skills to become a savvy author who is aware of, and demands, good practice in scholarly publication.

Think. Check. Submit. “aims to educate researchers, promote integrity, and build trust in credible research and publications.”  Its valuable resources prompt researchers getting ready to publish to:

Think: Consider the suitability of the journal or publisher as the platform for your work. Is it right for your work in terms of scope and content?  Is the journal or publisher trustworthy and will you want to be affiliated with them?   

Check: Use the journals or the books and chapters checklist to guide you through a systematic assessment of a journal or publisher.  The lists include items about the publisher’s transparency around:

• author guidelines
• fees
• peer review process
• copyright and licensing policies
• contact information

They also remind you to check things like where a journal is indexed; if it has a clear archiving and preservation policy; and, if the publisher is a current member of recognized industry initiatives like the Directory of Open Access Journals or the Open Access Scholarly Publishers’ Association.

Submit: Submit your manuscript only when and if you can answer yes to the checklist questions.

For more information or help with finding the best place to publish your research, reach out to your librarian.