01 Choose a journal Before submitting your manuscript, ensure the journal meets these critical criteria for alignment and credibility.
Research Alignment Assessment 0/6 Does the journal's scope precisely match your research focus? Have you analyzed recently published articles to confirm topical fit? Is your research methodology consistent with the journal's published studies? Does the journal's audience align with your target readers? Will publication in this journal advance your research visibility goals? Is the journal's publication timeline compatible with your career needs?
Journal Credibility Analysis 0/7 Can you verify the journal in at least two scholarly databases (Scopus, Web of Science, etc.)? Has the journal maintained a consistent publication schedule for 3+ years? What is the journal's acceptance rate, and is it realistic? Does the journal have established citation metrics in your field? Are there verified researcher testimonials about positive experiences? Has the journal received any industry awards or recognition? Is the journal affiliated with respected research institutions or societies?
Editorial Board Verification 0/7 Can you independently verify the credentials of 3+ editorial board members? Do editorial board members have relevant H-indexes in your field? Are editorial board members from diverse geographic regions and institutions? Have board members published quality research in your field recently? Is contact information provided for key editorial staff? Can you find evidence of editorial board meetings or governance structure? Does the journal have a clear Editor-in-Chief with verifiable credentials?
Digital Presence Evaluation 0/7 Does the journal have a professional, secure website (https://) with no technical errors? Is the journal's online archive complete with all promised volumes/issues? Does the journal have active, professional social media channels? Can you find the journal in library databases at major research institutions? Does the journal's website detail its history and development? Are all website links functional and relevant? Is the website free from intrusive advertising or suspicious third-party content?
Comprehensive Peer Review Assessment 0/8 Is the full peer review workflow documented with specific timeframes? Does the journal specify the number of reviewers assigned per manuscript? Is there transparency about how reviewers are selected and matched to submissions? Does the journal offer options for open, single-blind, or double-blind review? Are reviewer guidelines publicly available and comprehensive? Does the journal use a submission/review management system with tracking features? Is there a documented escalation process for reviewing disputes? Does the journal maintain a database of verified, field-specific reviewers?
Advanced Indexing Verification 0/7 Is the journal indexed in specialized databases relevant to your specific subfield? Can you verify the journal's exact indexing status directly on each database's website? When was the journal's indexing last updated in major databases? Does the journal meet the ongoing requirements for continued indexing? What is the journal's ranking within indexed journals in your field? Does the journal provide article-level indexing for maximum discoverability? Are supplementary materials also indexed and discoverable?
Financial Model Transparency 0/8 Is the journal's complete business model and funding source disclosed? For open access journals, are APCs (Article Processing Charges) justified with a detailed breakdown? Are there transparent fee waiver programs with specific eligibility criteria? Does the publisher provide detailed information about what services the fees cover? Are there any hidden charges not mentioned until acceptance? For subscription journals, are individual article purchase options available? Is the pricing competitive with similar-quality journals in your field? Are institutional agreements or memberships accepted for covering costs?
Copyright and Licensing Clarity 0/8 Does the journal offer multiple licensing options to suit different needs? Are authors' rights for preprint, postprint, and final version clearly specified? Does the journal allow specific exemptions for funding agency requirements? Is there a machine-readable rights statement embedded in published articles? Does the journal support author addendums to standard agreements? Are there clear guidelines for derivative works and translations? Can you negotiate specific rights if needed for your situation? Is the copyright policy compliant with your institutional and funder requirements?
Publication Ethics Framework 0/8 Does the journal have detailed policies beyond basic COPE guidelines? Is there a documented process for handling allegations of misconduct? Does the journal conduct routine image manipulation checks? Is there a transparent correction and retraction process with examples? Does the journal require detailed author contribution statements? Are conflict of interest declarations more detailed than standard requirements? Does the journal conduct regular ethical audits of published content? Is there a whistleblower protection policy for reporting concerns?
Technical Infrastructure Assessment 0/7 What file formats are accepted for text, figures, tables, and supplementary materials? Does the journal support interactive elements (videos, 3D models, code repositories)? What digital preservation strategies are employed for long-term access? Is the content accessible for readers with disabilities (screen readers, alt text, etc.)? Does the journal support integration with external repositories (Dryad, Zenodo, etc.)? Are there APIs available for programmatic access to content? Does the journal support scientific notation, complex tables, and specialized symbols?
Predatory Publishing Protection Checklist 0/8 Have you cross-checked the journal against multiple watchlists (not just Beall's list)? Have you verified that the publisher's headquarters actually exists at the listed address? Is the journal absent from "predatory journal alert" directories? Can you verify the journal is not cloning or impersonating a legitimate journal? Have you checked for fake impact factors or invented metrics? Is the journal's ISSN verified in the ISSN Portal with matching details? Have you checked for content overlap with other journals from the same publisher? Is there evidence the journal actually performs the peer review it claims?