After posting about predatory journals, I was asked if I could explain how to evaluate journals.
More on predatory journals here: https://lnkd.in/dvaYSYqN
Journals can be broken down into a reasonably simple 2x3 grid.
The two are non-profit versus for-profit journals.
Non-profit journals tend to be sponsored by Associations (INFORMS, IEEE, etc.) or Universities (Ivy League or other).
Usually, significant associations or famous universities sponsor top journals.
However, small associations & less-famous universities also sponsor some pretty good outlets.
The motivation for publication is either member services (e.g., to support a community) or building reputation (e.g., bolstering a Uni's brand).
For-profit journals tend to be sponsored by a publishing house (e.g., Elsevier & its ilk).
Sometimes, publishing houses sponsor high-quality journals.
Publishers sponsor journals for profit. Period.
This industry generates an estimated 19 billion USD in revenue annually (https://lnkd.in/diiEjhBs).)
Note, despite the revenue, most Uni's & Associations run journals on a shoestring - I know - bc the journals that I have helped supervise as a volunteer board member - break even - that's about it.
A second note, some Uni's have used publishing to unlock revenue & likely should be seen as for-profits, e.g., Harvard.
Functionally, they are run as for-profits.
No one seems willing to challenge H's status.
OK.
The three are top, outside of the top, & the predatory.
Top means that an academic discipline particularly values a journal.
Usually, you can tell a journal is top bc it is ranked on a list of some kind.
Note: I don't think much of most lists (https://lnkd.in/d5RPb3wq) ... but I do like this one ... (https://lnkd.in/dm-s-jva).
But they are part of the new academic landscape ...
Outside of the top means that a journal doesn't appear on a list or at the top of a list.
There is much variance in quality outside of the top. So, if you are going to chase publishing in one, ask your advisor/colleagues/boss about how it is regarded.
Predatory mimic quality journals but exist simply to extract profits or push a worldview.
Beall's List (https://beallslist.net/) was the best place to identify these journals.
But predators threatened to sue Beall, it is now dated. Yale & others now offer a similar service.
Please don't publish in predatory outlets. They are bad for the academic ecosystem.
So, where to publish?
Some suggest just focusing on the top journals sponsored by non-profits.
Mostly, I agree.
For-profits often lack the stature of non-profits.
Some suggest focusing on the impact factor.
But, there is plenty of evidence that the impact factor is problematic at the journal level (https://lnkd.in/dxCRkkwV).
So what to do?
Take time to learn which journals your discipline values & what you value.
Then submit to the outlets you value.
Best of luck!
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