How to Choose a Journal That Makes Sense for Your Research Paper

If you’re at the stage where you need to choose a journal, I know how overwhelmed and stressed out you may feel. As of 2025, there are almost 47,000 active journals spanning every language, discipline, and publishing model.¹ This means your research paper can easily disappear if it lands in the wrong place, where the right people won’t find, read, cite, or build on it. There have been several instances of brilliant research papers go unnoticed because it was published in a journal nobody in the sub-field actually reads. 

This is why spending a day, or even a week, to choose a journal that makes sense for your work is the wisest thing you can do for your paper’s future. If you’re a first-time author eager to get published or a researcher looking for a more systematic approach, here is a quick guide to follow as you choose a journal. 

Journal Selection Basics: 7 Things You Should Always Check

There’s a lot of information on how to choose the right journal, but these are seven essential things you should check for as you start to choose a journal.² 

1. Journal scope and audience alignment 

The first question, every single time, should be to check if your manuscript actually fits the journal’s scope and theme. If your research is super niche, choosing a specialized journal may be a good idea; it could also boost your chance of acceptance. If your work is interdisciplinary, or trying to speak to a bigger crowd, look for journals with a wider scope and reach. The classic rookie mistake is shooting straight for the most prestigious journals, only to get desk rejected.  

Pro tip: Flip through the journals issues over the past 6–12 months. If you see three or four papers that feel similar to yours, you’re probably in the right ballpark. 

2. Journal indexing and discoverability 

Journal that appear in major databases like Scopus, Web if Science, PubMed or other domain-specific indexes basically signal its credibility, visibility, and discoverability. If the journal you are assessing is not indexed, that’s a potential red flag. These databases actually vet journals to ensure they meet quality, ethical, and editorial publishing standards before listing them, so they are a good way to filter out predatory journals too. 

Pro tip: If you’re considering open-access journals, check if they’re listed in the Directory of Open Access Journals (DOAJ). If your journal is not indexed, it may be time to look elsewhere. 

3. Peer review quality and integrity 

Choose a journal that takes peer review seriously. A proper (ideally double-blind) review process should be non-negotiable; good journals also have clear reviewer guidelines and reasonable timelines. Remember, a strong peer review process not only improves the quality of your manuscript but also reflects the reputation and impact of the journal you publish in.  

Pro tip: Steer clear of journals that don’t provide information about their review practices or brag about unrealistically fast decisions, they are usually skipping steps that protect your reputation. 

4. Publication speed, acceptance rate, and backlog 

If you’re racing a thesis deadline, applying in the job market, or seeking scholarship/funding, the time from submission to publication can be a major deciding factor. Some journals may get back in 10-12 weeks, while others may take as long as 9–15 months. Understanding the journal’s acceptance rates and current backlog can tell you how selective they are and how long your paper may need to wait in the queue.  

Pro tip: Super-fast turnarounds aren’t always good, sometimes this just means they aren’t picky about what they publish. Aim for a balance between speed, quality, and the journal’s reputation. 

5. Open access vs. subscription/hybrid journals 

Open-access publication typically signals wider readership and higher citation rates because the article is freely available. The downside here are steep article processing charges (APCs), averaging around US$2,000 for gold OA journals. Check if your university has a deal or if the journal provides waivers or discounts. Subscription/hybrid journals, on the other hand, often have more “prestige” but your research paper lives behind a paywall, so fewer people are likely to see it. 

Pro tip: When evaluating journals, also look closely at their licensing and self-archiving policies. For instance, CC-BY or the right to post the accepted manuscript on your website/lab page can help boost your research visibility even if you choose a journal behind paywalls. 

6. Clear, transparent author guidelines and policies 

Detailed, publicly available author instructions on formatting, data availability, conflicts of interest, and ethical standards are strong markers of a reputable journal. So is upfront disclosure of all costs (APCs, color charges, page fees, etc.) with clear policies on preprints, plagiarism screening, and authorship criteria (e.g., ICMJE or COPE membership). Vague guidelines or hidden fees that appear only after acceptance are major red flags. 

Pro tip: If the journal provides transparent, well-documented instructions for authors that clearly explain the submission requirements, that’s usually a great sign of high editorial standards.  

7. Alignment with long-term research and career goals 

Journals differ in terms of audience, scope, and prestige so select a journal that matches your research goals or career stage. Whether you’re building a solid track record early on, reaching out to a specific scholarly community, looking to attract collaborators, or strengthening your grant and job applications, each goal will guide you toward a different journal.   

Pro tip: Don’t make the mistake of chasing impact factors. A strong field-relevant journal that is actively read by your peers is more likely to advance your career faster than a high-impact general journal with fierce competition. 

Not sure if your paper meets journal standards? Paperpal’s Journal Submission Readiness Check can instantly assess clarity, structure, and language so your work meets journal expectations before you submit.

 

A Simple 5-Step Workflow to Choose a Journal

Here a straightforward step-by-step process to choose a journal, especially useful for first-time authors: 

1. Create a long list of 10–20 journals that regularly publish work similar to yours. 

2. Cross off anything that is not indexed, fall outside your scope, or raise ethical concerns. 

3. Rank the remaining options based on a mix of journal fit + review quality + turnaround speed + publishing cost. 

4. Narrow the list further to your top 2–3 journals (keep it realistic) and write/format your paper for your top choice (this alone prevents many desk rejections). 

5. Always keep your second and third choices ready in case your target journal says no; this will save you time in the long run. 

Before sending your paper to your target journal, polish it with Paperpal to avoid desk rejections and improve clarity

 

Common Journal Selection Mistakes to Avoid

Here are some common mistakes to watch out for so you can avoid unnecessary delays and frustration when choosing a journal. 

• Chasing the most prestigious journals with the shiniest impact factor without checking if your research topic fits will only lead to desk rejection and months of lost time.

• Not verifying the journal legitimacy is a serious miss. Predatory journals mimic reputable ones so always check for indexing, strong peer review, and editorial board transparency before submission.

• Forgetting to account for high APCs could leave you scrambling to find the required funds or force you to withdraw your manuscript after acceptance, leading to more frustration.

• Failing to check recent issues and submitting to journals that have not published anything like your paper in the last five years is an easy way to get rejected.

Picking a journal is one of the few strategic decisions in the publication process that you completely control. Get it right and your work finds the right audience; get it wrong and even groundbreaking work can gather dust. I hope the insights shared above can make your journal selection process easier so you can make more confident decisions. Wishing you every success with your submission! 

Paperpal is a comprehensive AI writing toolkit that helps students and researchers achieve 2x the writing in half the time. It leverages 23+ years of STM experience and insights from millions of research articles to provide in-depth academic writing, language editing, and submission readiness support to help you write better, faster. 

Get accurate academic translations, rewriting support, grammar checks, vocabulary suggestions, and generative AI assistance that delivers human precision at machine speed. Try for free or upgrade to Paperpal Prime starting at US$25 a month to access premium features, including consistency, plagiarism, and 30+ submission readiness checks to help you succeed. 

Experience the future of academic writing – Sign up to Paperpal and start writing for free!