Authors often face challenges when it comes to finding the appropriate journal to submit their manuscripts. In this webinar, we will explore the factors authors consider when selecting a journal, such as metrics, reach, and readership. We will also discuss the support provided by libraries and gain insights from the publisher's viewpoint. It's important to note that finding the right journal may not always mean choosing the best journal, and publishers can assist authors in redirecting their manuscripts.
Following brief introductions from each speaker, we will engage in a discussion covering the complexities of journal selection in the context of open access, the potential role of AI in offering recommendations, and the significance of journal lists in the selection process.
Romy is specialized in the academic online publishing industry, with a focus on publisher relations. And she’s one of our key experts in Open Access publishing terms.
Before jetting off to meet friends and colleagues at SSP in Boston, we were excited to host our webinar about finding the perfect journal fit. How do authors find the best journal for them and what are the challenges? Can AI make better recommendations? What about journal selection tools? Our panel really engaged in these questions and brought up some great solutions and ideas.
Getting the right fit for authors is important because it improves author experience. Chirag Jay Patel from Cactus Communications shared the results of a survey commissioned by Cactus. The survey confirmed that researchers find submitting to journals quite challenging. This negative experience is something that the panel were keen to change, and they discussed various ways it can happen.
Michael Ladisch from the University of California Davis spoke about how libraries support authors on their publishing journey. Whilst libraries don’t tell authors where to publish, they can provide a range of resources for authors looking for a journal. From finding out where peers publish to avoiding predatory journals, libraries play a vital role in making sure authors know where to publish and how to publish.
Connecting authors with the right journals is something that publishers are looking at. Andrea Taroni from Springer Nature talked about ways publishers can connect journals with the right authors. Rejections can provide disappointment for authors, which is why getting the best fit as soon as possible is important.
After setting the scene, the panel discussed solutions available and ideas for future development. Moderated by our Head of Publisher Relations, Romy Beard, the discussion started with talking about how journal selection tools can be improved with AI, and then moved on to debating how data can be used to make personal recommendations, bypassing the need for journal selection tools altogether!
With this, ethical considerations about collecting data were hotly debated. Cross-referencing information across journals and publishers would certainly give researchers a great overview of where they could publish, but the panel were keen to know if too much information could discourage submissions. What if a journal has a low acceptance rate? The panel wondered if this could put authors off.
As Romy wrapped the webinar up, our panelists reflected on research integrity, choice, and using AI as a tool, making sure authors are well informed about the best home for their manuscript.
ChronosHub will publish a detailed blog addressing the questions and topics discussed in the webinar. To stay updated on the release of the blog post and future webinars and events, subscribe here.