Selecting the right journal is a purposeful and tactical decision that will affect journal visibility, readership, and acceptance.
Q & A Forum
Journal Selection & Submission
Q: What is a good impact factor? Should I only aim for high-impact journals?
- The Impact Factor (IF) is an indicator of how often citations occur, but it varies across disciplines
- A “good” IF is based on:
- Disciplinary standards:Engineering (IF ~ 2-3), Medicine (IF > 5), Arts & Humanities (common for journals not to have IFs).
- Niche Relevance:The lower IF journals might be a better match for your themed project and a higher likelihood of it being accepted.
- Career Indicators:If you are applying for grants, portfolios for a PhD, or promotion criteria, there might be requirements for indexed or IF journals.
- Prioritize your journals based on:
- Intended readership
- Likelihood of acceptance
- Time Constraints (thesis submissions, funding competitions)