Guiding your research to publication

Academic Publishing Navigator

Navigate Research, Publish with Integrity

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Your trusted guide to ethical and impactful research publishing.

Navigate Research, Publish with Integrity

Stay tuned for upcoming articles on journal selection, research ethics, and avoiding predatory practices.

Guide to Trustworthy Publishing

The Think, Check, Submit (TCS) Process: A Researcher's Guide

The Think, Check, Submit (TCS) campaign offers a simple framework for researchers to choose trustworthy journals for their work. Before submitting your manuscript, taking a few minutes to evaluate your options can save you months of frustration and protect your reputation.

Step 1: THINK (Do You Know the Journal?)

Take time to reflect on whether this journal is the right fit for your research.

  • Is it reputable? Are you familiar with the journal's name and reputation in your field?

  • Have you read articles from it? Does the quality of published papers match the standards you expect for your work?

  • Is the latest research published here? Reputable journals are frequently cited and contribute to ongoing academic discourse.

Step 2: CHECK (Verify Credentials and Policies)

Use this checklist to investigate the journal's legitimacy and practices.

A. The Publisher & Editorial Board

CheckpointCredible JournalRed Flag (Predatory)

Contact Information

Lists full geographical address, landline, and verified email.

Uses only a generic web form or a Gmail/Yahoo email address.

Editorial Board

Features recognized experts in the field with verifiable affiliations (check LinkedIn/institutional websites).

Lists unfamiliar names, generic titles (e.g., "Chief Researcher"), or impossible affiliations.

Journal Metrics

Clearly states indexing (Web of Science, Scopus, PubMed) and verifiable Impact Factor (IF) or CiteScore.

Claims an unverifiable, self-proclaimed, or fake impact factor (e.g., "Global Impact Factor").

B. The Peer Review Process

  • Transparency: Does the journal clearly describe its peer review model (single-blind, double-blind, open review)?

  • Rigor: Does the website detail the number of reviewers, the expected review time, and the criteria for acceptance/rejection?

  • Speed: Watch out for promises of extremely fast publication (e.g., "Publish within 48 hours") without evidence of rigorous review.

C. Fees and Copyright

  • Article Processing Charges (APCs): If there are fees, are they clearly stated on a prominent page? Are waivers offered?

  • Copyright: Does the journal explain the copyright retention policy? Look for recognized licenses like Creative Commons (CC BY).

Step 3: SUBMIT (Prepare and Submit Confidently)

If the journal passes the check, you can proceed with confidence.

  1. Format Correctly: Adhere strictly to the journal's detailed author guidelines regarding formatting, referencing, and word count.

  2. Verify Affiliations: Double-check that all author names, email addresses, and affiliations are accurate.

  3. Use Author Services: Utilize the journal's official submission platform (OJS, Editorial Manager, etc.). Never submit via a personal email address.

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