Module 6: Identifying and Selecting the Right “Journal Fit” 

Essential Questions 

• What does it mean to find the right “journal fit”?
• Why is finding the right “journal fit” important? 
• What are some of the journals that might be most relevant to my passions and interests as a practitioner? 

What is “Journal Fit”? 

Writing for a journal for the first or even the 50th time can seem daunting. This module aims to demystify the process. Finding the right journal in which to publish a manuscript is a key step in the journey, especially for practitioners who seek to publish in a journal that welcomes classroom-based research. 

Even more than this, selecting a good “fit” journal upfront, rather than drafting the manuscript and hoping to find a suitable place to publish, can ensure that the manuscript is written in a way that aligns with the journal’s topic of focus, increasing the likelihood of getting published. In short, it is important to write with the right journal in mind.  

Definition 

What is “journal fit”? Journal fit is the process of identifying an appropriate journal suitable for publication based on a variety of factors (American Psychological Association, 2010; Elsevier, 2019 b). Selecting the correct journal will increase the likelihood of getting published and reduce the amount of time it takes to go through the publication process. 

Below is a journal fit checklist designed to help determine the top three places to potentially publish a manuscript. It is important to have more than one journal in mind. The first journal may, or may not, wish to publish the manuscript, so having a secondary or third option is prudent. 

Take time when pinpointing a top three list. Pick a journal after ample analysis of its aims, scopes, and whether it uses calls for manuscripts or open issues. Begin by reading the journal’s aims/scope/purpose and ensure it aligns with teacher research and the specific focus of the research conducted. Check out previously published articles in the journal to see if the content and focus, even the writing style, mesh well with the project.

Next, many journals use a themed “call for manuscript” or partially-themed approach called “special issues,” meaning that one or more issues of the journal a year are focused on a particular topic, usually determined by the journal’s editors. Identifying whether the practitioner research aligns with the theme is beneficial when compiling a top three list. For instance, the May/June 2019 issue of Journal of Adult and Adolescent Literacy had a theme of community, focused on literacy-related communities situated in and beyond the classroom. If a practitioner conducted a classroom-based research project where students wrote narratives about their family histories and then the practitioner analyzed these narratives thematically, it would be a good fit for this issue. Themes help weave together a larger narrative within the journal and can help practitioners frame their manuscript towards a common goal. 

If a practitioner is unsure if his or her work aligns with the journal or the call for manuscripts, it is perfectly okay to reach out to journal editors via email to inquire if the manuscript would be a good fit before proceeding forward and expending too much time and energy.

Another element worthy of consideration are the submission requirements. Many practitioner journals aim for articles 3,000-6,000 words in length outlining the full scope of the teacher research project. Knowing whether this length and type of article is feasible is important. If it is do-able, the practitioner may consider this a good fit. If this is not feasible, then the practitioner might want to identify whether the journal is open to accepting different types and lengths of manuscripts. 

Also, be mindful of the citation style. Most education and practitioner journals use APA Style, but there are exceptions. For instance, an education-related journal that focuses on English education might use MLA Style or a business education journal might use The Chicago Manual of Style. If a practitioner is not comfortable with MLA Style and citation in this style is required, adding this to an already busy teaching schedule might mean that this journal is not an ideal fit. 

Further, if the project is collaborative in nature, work closely with co-authors to ensure all team members are in agreement with the “fit.” If the entire team of practitioners is committed to writing for the same journal, the momentum and energy will carry the project forward to completion. 

When selecting the right journal, very few quality journals require payment to publish. Be wary of publishing companies that insist on payment or that ask for a credit card. A simple Google search can indicate whether a journal or publishing company might be predatory in nature. 

It may be helpful on occasion to look at the journal’s quality and reputation. Two commonly used metrics to identify journal quality are the Impact Factor and the CiteScore (see Clarivate Analytics, n.d.; Scimago, n.d.; Zijlstra & McCullough, 2016). Metrics like these identify how frequently articles in a journal are cited in a given year. Bearing this in mind, practitioner-based journals where teacher and action research are welcomed may not always appear on these impact lists since they may be smaller in nature or less cited and therefore should not be used as the determining factor for most practitioners. Review Scimago Lab’s education journal ranking at: https://www.scimagojr.com/journalrank.php?category=3304&page=1&total_size=1262

Journal Fit Checklist

Discovering Education-Related Practitioner Journals

Take time to peruse practitioner journals for educators. Familiarizing one’s self with the different journals and types of articles that are published can only enhance the experience and increase the likelihood of publication.  

Even though the process can be challenging, there is substantial benefit both professionally and personally to publishing in a practitioner-based journal. One clear benefit is the satisfaction of contributing to the field of education in a broader, bigger way. Another benefit is the opportunity to expand one’s skill set and successfully traversing a new and different realm of education. 

Visit http://www.aera.net/SIG126/Research-Connections for a list of popular education-related practitioner journals.

Suggested Readings

• https://www.apa.org/pubs/authors/new-author-guide.pdf 
• https://www.elsevier.com/?a=91173
• https://www.springeropen.com/get-published/find-the-right-journal