Hi everyone! I recently attended a MJFF Nature Masterclass on Effective Academic writing, (highly recommended!) and I would like to share with you some takeaways on how to select the best Journal to publish your research and play around with some examples that we could come across in this community!
Starting the process of publishing your study on Parkinson’s disease is an important step, and picking the appropriate journal is essential. Although it’s a popular option, Movement Disorders might not be the best fit for every study. Here’s a short guide on how to select and evaluate journals tailored to your PD research.
1. Journal pre- selection and shortlisting
Consider your audience. Is it only researchers in your specific subject area or researchers more broadly across your field? Are people outside academia (industry, policymakers, patients, general public etc.) going tor read your manuscript?
Shortlist some (maybe 5 to 10 journals). It can be Journals you or your co-authors frequently consult. You can employ online journal selection tools for recommendations such as: https://www.journalguide.com/
2. Journal evaluation and final selection:
Here it gets a little subjective as there is not a “scoring” system. Rather, consider these aspects and give them the weight that suits better your needs and wants
• Aims and Scope
• Indexing
• Open Access options
… etc
By the end, you’ll have a refined list with the most appropriate journals at the top!
Please, find next two fake (ChatGPT generated) but plausible examples and answer:
To which journals would you submit each manuscript? You can suggest any other non-listed.
| Research Scenario | Relevance | Related fields | Some Shortlisted Journals | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Mouse Model for Neurodegeneration | Our research uses an advanced mouse model to mimic neurodegeneration with a new toxin. While successful in replicating the process effectively, the intriguing part is that our results closely align with earlier studies. This study deepens our understanding of neurodegenerative mechanisms and prompts a reevaluation of established knowledge in the field | Neurodegeneration, Mouse Models, Toxicology | Journal of Neuroscience NeuroToxicology Nature Neuroscience Toxicological Sciences |
| 2 | Unusual Presentation of PD in a Family | Investigating a family with five members affected by Parkinson’s, our study uncovers an uncommon scenario. This sheds light on a distinctive presentation of Parkinson’s disease within a single family, offering valuable insights into both genetic and clinical complexities. Exploring such rare occurrences contributes to a broader understanding of Parkinson’s manifestations and may guide personalized approaches to diagnosis and treatment. | Movement Disorders, Genetics, Clinical Case Reports | Movement Disorders Journal of Medical Genetics Journal of Parkinson’s Disease |
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