Before submitting to any journal, you should check:
- Do you or your colleagues know the journal?
- Have you read any articles in this journal before?
- Can you find the journal in PRIMO?
- Is the name of the journal the same or similar to another journal?
- Check Ulrichsweb Global Serials Directory:
- To see which databases index or have full-text of the journal.
- The journal's ISSN.
- What can you find out about the journal and the publisher?
- Can you easily contact them by email, telephone and post?
- Check that the "impact factors" quoted on the website are correct. SCImago Journal Rank (SJR) will give you journal ranking and other metrics.
- Who are the editor(s)? Check the editor(s) online academic CV or profile.
- Is it on The Excellence in Research Australia (ERA) List of Eligible Journals?
- What type of peer-review processes are used by the journal?
- Are the peer-reviewers:
- independent/external?
- subject experts in your area or done by an expert editorial board?
- Warning: Be careful with journals that guarantee acceptance or offer a very short peer review time.
- What can you find out about fees?
- What are they for? When will they be charged? How much?
- Read the Author Guidelines carefully.
- What does it say about open access, license policy and copyright?
- Is the publisher a member of:
- Is it listed on:
More information is available from ‘Think, Check, Submit’
Some resources to help you avoid predatory publishers:
