Selecting journals

Once you have identified a list of potential journals, you should check the aims and scope of each to determine whether your work is appropriate for that journal. Ask yourself questions like:

• Does the journal focus on applied or theoretical research?
• Does it publish qualitative or quantitative research methods?
• Does your article match the interests of the readers?

Tip: You may like to set up a table of contents alert for any journals on your shortlist, to see the range of papers that are published and gain a feel for the writing style and content. Some journals also send out a 'call for papers' if they are doing a special issue on a particular topic. For more information on setting up alerts, refer to the Keeping up to date online workshop.

If your work meets the aims and scope of the journal you have selected you must then submit your manuscript in the appropriate format for the journal. You find this information using instructions to authors.

Instructions to Authors

Instructions to authors (also called 'advice to authors' or 'authors' guide') are the fine details of what is and is not acceptable to a particular publisher. Generally these guidelines include layout, referencing style, how to submit, submitting tables and figures in text, the audience, review process and publication.

You can find instructions to authors:

• in the journal (printed format)
• on the journal home page. For example from The Internet and Higher Education
• via a link from Ulrich’s to the publisher’s page

Ask your Academic Library Services Team if you require assistance in finding instructions to authors.