Journal level metrics track citation patterns within journals and determine which journals are highly cited. The commonly known journal metric is the Journal Impact Factor (JIF) generated from the Journal Citation Reports (JCR) from Web of Science. It is important to note that metrics can't tell you which are the 'best' journals, but they can help you identify journals that receive more attention on average than others. Whilst publishing in a highly-cited or highly-discussed journal won't guarantee that your paper will be read, cited or shared, it can help raise the profile of your work and boost your CV. Ultimately, however, the decision of where to publish your work depends on many factors that are beyond the scope of metrics.
Adapted from:
Colosimo, April. "Concept Map." Impact Measurements: Journal-level metrics. McGill University. n.d. Web. 27 Aug. 2020.
Publishing your work is central to your career and the advancement of knowledge in your field, so it’s important to choose a trustworthy and credible journal and publisher, and avoid the perils of “predatory journal" or "predatory publisher." “Predatory journals and publishers are entities that prioritize self-interest at the expense of scholarship and are characterized by false or misleading information, deviation from best editorial and publication practices, a lack of transparency, and/or the use of aggressive and indiscriminate solicitation practices” (Grudniewicz et al., 2019). While there are no definitive list of warning signs, the following lists are updated to keep up with the growing predatory journals and publishers.
Sharing your research is key to the research lifecycle. It progresses your discipline with greater understandings of the world while contributing to your academic career. However, with thousands of journals available, it can be hard to choose a trusted journal and publisher. The following resources can help you find the right journal for you.