How to select Good Journals for paper publishing

Assalam-o-Alaikum/Greetings,

Dear Scholars,

I hope this post clarifies your confusion regarding selecting a suitable journal for submitting your work. Here are some precautions and suggestions:

If you believe your work is of high quality, do not waste it by submitting it to unknown journals, such as the International Journal of XYZ.

Let's start with HEC-recognized journals (Pakistan). These journals are accepted in Pakistan for job and degree purposes. To check if a journal is HEC-recognized, click here. However, based on my experience, I do not recommend submitting your paper to these journals. The publication process is slow, and the chances of acceptance are low. Furthermore, the feedback provided is often insufficient to improve the quality of your paper.

While some HEC-recognized journals publish good quality papers, many do not. For instance, I've found journals from PIDE University to be commendable. However, for quicker and more recognized publication, consider submitting to reputable international journals. 

Why am I not satisfied with HEC-recognized journals?

- The publication process is slow.

- The chances of acceptance are low.

- Rejection feedback is often not helpful for improving the paper.

Here’s a personal experience: I submitted a paper to a well-known journal and waited a year only to receive a rejection with no comments or reasons provided. Rejection is part of the publication process, but constructive feedback is essential for improvement.

Now, let’s discuss finding a good journal. Journals indexed in SCOPUS, Social Sciences Citation Index, or those with an Impact Factor are considered good. Always verify a journal’s indexing status before submission. Many journals falsely claim high impact factors, so be cautious.

Here are some reputable publishers with good journals:

- Elsevier

- Springer-Verlag

- Taylor & Francis

- John Wiley and Sons

- Sage Publications

- SciELO

- Walter de Gruyter

- Redalyc

- RMIT Publishing

- Inderscience Publishers

- Hindawi

- Project MUSE

- Cambridge University Press

- Oxford University Press

- Emerald

- World Scientific

- Academy of Management

Good journals often publish papers quickly and provide valuable feedback. For instance, I once submitted a paper to "Current Issues in Tourism," and although it was rejected within two hours, I received helpful comments.

To find the right journal, download papers related to your topic during your literature review. Check where these papers are published and consider those journals. You can also search for specific topics within publisher databases like Taylor & Francis.

Decision criteria for selecting a journal:

- Indexing: Check if the journal is well-indexed.

- Publication frequency: Journals with more issues per year often publish faster.

- Publication charges: Verify any fees before submitting.

- Scope: Ensure your paper aligns with the journal’s scope.

- Formatting: Follow the journal’s formatting guidelines.

- English quality: Improve your paper's English with expert help.

- Author guidelines: Read and follow them carefully.

Note: Always verify a journal’s indexing claims to avoid fake journals.

I hope these tips help you in selecting a good journal for your paper. Good luck with your publication!

Note: I am sharing my personal experience; it is not necessary that you agree with me.

"There are many good journals that do not charge a fee, so do not be disheartened by publication charges." - Dr. Muhammad Saeed Meo