What is journal selection?
A journal selection service matches a manuscript to the peer-reviewed journals where it is most likely to be accepted. An expert reads the paper and compares it with each candidate journal’s aims and scope, article types, indexing (Scopus, Web of Science, PubMed), impact factor, acceptance rate, open-access fees and time to publication. Choosing the right journal reduces scope-based desk rejection, one of the most common reasons papers are returned unread.
Service overview
Choosing the correct journal is crucial for publication success. Submitting outside a journal’s scope is one of the most common reasons for desk rejection, and each rejection costs weeks or months.
Our publication experts review your manuscript and recommend the most suitable journals, balancing your goals for impact, speed, cost and open access. The shortlist also names the journals likely to reject you, and why that is worth knowing.
What is included
- Manuscript read by a subject expert
- Five to eight ranked journal recommendations
- Aims and scope match for each journal
- Indexing: Scopus, Web of Science, PubMed, DOAJ
- Impact factor and quartile
- Acceptance rate and time to first decision
- Open-access and article processing charges
- Predatory journal screening
Who this service is for
First-time authors
Researchers unsure where their work fits in the journal landscape.
Authors after a desk rejection
Researchers whose paper was returned as out of scope.
Researchers with indexing requirements
Authors who must publish in Scopus- or Web of Science-indexed journals for a degree, promotion or grant.
Our process
How our journal selection works
Why choose us
Why researchers choose Frontier Publishers
Fewer desk rejections
A scope-matched journal minimises the chance of rejection before peer review.
Only legitimate journals
Every recommendation is screened against predatory and hijacked journal lists.
Indexed journals
Recommendations focus on journals indexed in Scopus, Web of Science and PubMed.
Faster publication
Timelines and decision speeds are weighed against your deadline.
Questions
Journal selection questions
Usually five to eight, ranked by suitability, with the scope, indexing, impact factor, acceptance rate, fees and time to publication for each.
Yes. Tell us your indexing requirement and every recommendation will meet it.
Every journal is checked against indexing databases and known predatory and hijacked journal lists, and we verify the publisher and its peer-review practices.
Yes. Journal selection is included in our publication support packs alongside editing, formatting and submission.
Free assessment
Send your manuscript and target journal. An expert reviews it and replies with a recommended approach and a fixed quote, with no obligation.
Related services
Often combined with journal selection
End-to-end handling from submission through peer review, revision and acceptance, with one contact throughout.
Help answering the review letter point by point, including the points you intend to push back on, with the revised manuscript re-edited.
Professional help with manuscript structure, literature review, methodology and discussion, from concept to a complete, journal-ready draft.