Here’s a structured content post to help someone choose a journal to publish in, whether they’re an early-career researcher, a practitioner sharing applied insights, or a collaborator stewarding posthumous work. It’s designed to support clarity, care, and accessibility across disciplines.

A step-by-step guide to finding a publication home that reflects your values, audience, and goals

Let’s talk about fit, not just prestige

Choosing where to publish isn’t just about impact factors or name recognition. It’s about finding a journal that understands your work, reaches the right people, and upholds ethical, inclusive publishing practices. This guide walks you through how to choose a journal with intention, whether you’re submitting solo or with collaborators.

Clarify Your Goals

Before you start browsing journal websites, pause to reflect.

☑ Ask yourself:

• Who do I want this work to reach?
• What kind of impact do I hope it has—academic, practical, policy, community?
• Do I want open access, fast turnaround, or a specific type of peer review?

✍ The main goal of publishing this piece is to ____________________________
and I hope it reaches ____________________________.

Identify Journals That Match Your Topic and Values

Look for journals that publish work like yours and that share your approach.

☑ Try this table to compare options:

Journal Name	Scope & Audience	Article Types	Open Access?	Peer Review Model	Notes

✍ Three journals I’m considering are ____________________________, ____________________________, and ____________________________
because they align with ____________________________.

Review Author Guidelines and Ethics

Every journal has its own expectations. Make sure you’re aligned.

☑ Check for:

• Article types accepted (e.g. original research, reviews, case studies)
• Formatting and submission requirements
• Authorship and conflict of interest policies
• Publication fees (APCs) and waiver options

✍ One thing I’ll need to adapt in my manuscript is ____________________________.

Consider Visibility and Accessibility

A great paper deserves to be read. Think about how your work will be found and shared.

☑ Ask:

• Is the journal indexed in databases relevant to my field?
• Does it support open access or public engagement?
• What’s the journal’s readership like, specialist or interdisciplinary?

✍ To increase visibility, I’ll prioritise journals that ____________________________.

Reach Out or Use Journal Finder Tools

Still unsure? Ask for insight or use a matching tool.

☑ Try:

• Talking to mentors, colleagues, or librarians
• Using tools like BMJ’s guide, Wiley’s Journal Finder, or Elsevier’s Journal Finder
• Sending a presubmission inquiry to the editor

✍ One person I’ll ask for advice is ____________________________
and one tool I’ll try is ____________________________.

Final Reflection: What Does “Right Fit” Mean to You?

Choosing a journal is about more than metrics. It’s about finding a space where your work can live well, ethically, accessibly, and in conversation with others.

✍ If I could design my ideal journal, it would value ____________________________
and support authors by ____________________________.

For a full framework, please see the PDF link.

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