You have finished your research, the data is analysed and the paper is written. Now comes a decision that many researchers rush through: where to send it. Choosing the wrong journal is one of the most common reasons good papers get rejected without even reaching peer review. Editors call this a “desk rejection”, and in most cases it has nothing to do with the quality of the work. The paper simply did not belong in that journal.
This guide walks through the questions to ask before you click “Submit”.
1. Does your paper fit the journal’s scope?
Every journal has an “Aims and Scope” page. Read it carefully, not just the first line. A journal called “Social Sciences” may focus only on sociology and political science and rarely publish economics. A multidisciplinary journal may welcome everything from geography to education to commerce.
A simple test: look at the last two or three issues. If you cannot find at least a few papers that are similar to yours in topic or method, your paper will probably feel out of place to the editor.
2. Who reads this journal?
Think about who you want to reach. A study on cropping patterns in a drought-prone district is valuable to geographers, agricultural economists and local planners. A regional or national journal that these readers actually follow may give your work more real impact than an international title nobody in your field reads.
Ask yourself: if a colleague in my area wanted to find this paper, where would they look?
3. Check the review process and timeline
A credible journal will clearly state how papers are reviewed, for example single-blind or double-blind peer review, and give an approximate timeline. Be cautious of journals promising acceptance within 48 hours. Proper review takes time because a reviewer has to actually read, check and comment on your work.
At the same time, a journal that takes a year to respond may not suit you if you need the publication for a promotion file or a thesis submission deadline. Look for a realistic balance.
4. Look at the editorial board
The editorial board page tells you a lot. Are the members real, identifiable academics with institutional affiliations? Do their subject areas match the journal’s scope? A board made up of people from unrelated fields, or names you cannot verify anywhere, is a warning sign.
5. Understand the costs and access model
Many journals today are open access, which means anyone can read the published article for free. To cover the cost of editing, hosting and maintaining the journal, some charge an article processing charge (APC). Others are free to publish in but place articles behind a subscription.
Neither model is automatically good or bad. What matters is transparency. The fees, if any, should be listed clearly before you submit, not revealed after acceptance.
6. Check identifiers and indexing honestly
A genuine journal will display its ISSN (print and/or online) and usually assigns a DOI or a stable link to each article. If a journal claims to be indexed in a particular database, you can verify this yourself by searching the database directly. Do not rely only on logos placed on the journal’s homepage.
Also check what your own institution or funding body requires. Different universities have different rules about which publications count for appointments and promotions, so confirm with your department before you decide.
7. Language and format requirements
Some journals accept papers only in English. Others, especially Indian multidisciplinary journals, welcome papers in Hindi, Marathi and other languages. If you think and write best in your mother tongue, a journal that accepts regional-language submissions may let you present your ideas more clearly.
Download the author guidelines and the manuscript template before you start formatting. Word limits, reference style, and how tables and figures should be presented vary from journal to journal.
A quick checklist before you submit
- My topic clearly matches the journal’s aims and scope.
- I have read at least two recent issues.
- The peer review process and timeline are clearly described.
- The editorial board members are real and relevant.
- Any publication fee is stated upfront.
- The ISSN and any indexing claims can be verified.
- My manuscript follows the journal’s template and reference style.
- The journal meets my institution’s requirements.
Final thought
Spending an hour choosing the right journal can save you months of waiting and rejection. Make a shortlist of three journals, rank them, and start with the one that fits best. If your paper is rejected, read the feedback, improve the manuscript and move to the next journal on your list.
If you are considering a multidisciplinary, open access option, you can explore the journals published by Imaginative Ink Publications and read their aims and scope before deciding.
— Editorial Team, Imaginative Ink Publications