How to choose a journal Kim E. Barrett, Ph.D. Dean of Graduate Studies and Professor of Medicine University of California, San Diego Chair, APS Publications Committee TAC Symposium, EB 2010

How to choose a journal More than 5000 biomedical journals are indexed by Medline/PubMed Many additional journals New journals published every year Where do you start?

Outline of presentation Importance of journal selection Timing of choice Strategies for selecting a journal Where to start Nuts and bolts Other considerations A word about impact factors What to do if your paper is rejected from your first (or second…) choice journal

Why does it matter? Enhanced search capabilities vastly expand immediate access to articles of interest However, the journal to which you choose to submit your work still has major implications Community of readers Community of reviewers Imprimatur of rigor Impact factor and related considerations

When to choose? As soon as possible! As soon as your story starts to take shape Definitely before you start to write Format issues Style issues Scope

How to start? Ask yourself “Who would be interested in reading this paper?” Basic scientists vs. clinicians Specialists vs. generalists Assess perceived impact Earth-shattering story of broad import (is it sexy?) Important, complete contribution to the discipline Solid but archival work LPU (least publishable unit) Ask for help from friends

Strategy for choosing Past papers from the lab Mentor’s preferences Papers cited in your manuscript Journal scope statements Any limitations? (e.g., human studies only) Inquiry to editor In writing with brief details Does not imply any obligation to publish

Additional considerations Length restrictions Many journals restrict the number of words and/or figures Color figures Costs vary widely APS publishes color figures for free if the first or last author is a member Requirements of research sponsor e.g., NIH regulations require publication in a journal that provides free access within 12 months

Additional considerations Cost of publication Submission fees/author fees (Open Access model) Page charges Reprint costs Availability of journal Print vs. online vs. both Is it in your library? If not, may want to reconsider

Journal impact factor (IF) Average number of citations to papers published in the two preceding years Never intended as a measure of article quality, but widely interpreted as such Discipline-dependent Size of field, pace of citation Should not be used to evaluate an individual paper or researcher Despite caveats, some feel compelled to publish in the highest IF journal that will accept their work

Where next if your paper is rejected? Decide on a hierarchy of two to three journals at the time of initial submission, ranked by desirability Withdraw from the first journal if you were invited to resubmit but choose not to do so Reformat for the new journal – very important (why?) Reference format Re-writing may be needed

Closing thoughts Your goal should be to publish in the best journal for your work Not necessarily the same as the “best journal” (Cell/Nature/Science, IF, etc.) Picking the right journal…. Increases your chance of getting accepted the first time Increases your chance of having your work read/cited Advances your career