Compare Candidate Journals Before You Submit
Choosing a journal involves more than comparing impact factors. Wallace researches candidate journals and prepares a structured comparison of journal scope, article requirements, indexing, publication information, and the relationship between your manuscript and each journal.
- Structured evaluation across multiple journal factors
- Comparison of six candidate journals
- Scope, indexing, author guidelines, and publication information
- Research on similar topics and methods where available
- A report designed to support the author's final journal choice
Why journal selection deserves careful research
A journal can be reputable and still be a poor fit for a particular manuscript. Scope, article type, research method, audience, publication model, and submission requirements all matter when deciding where to submit.
Research fit
We look at whether the manuscript topic and research approach align with the journal's stated aims, scope, and recently published work.
Journal requirements
We review article types, author guidelines, manuscript limits, indexing information, publication model, and other practical submission considerations.
Side-by-side comparison
The report organizes journal information into a consistent framework so authors can compare several realistic options instead of relying on a single metric.
A research-intensive screening process
The current Wallace service describes a structured process built around 40 evaluation indicators and multiple information sources.
What the report can investigate
The exact information available varies by journal, but the report is designed to examine both journal-level information and the relationship between the journal and your manuscript.
Journal information
- Aims, scope, audience, and accepted article types
- Indexing and abstracting information
- Publisher and publication model
- Author guidelines and manuscript limits
- Open-access and publication-charge information where available
- Editorial-board and submission information
- Available publication or decision-time information
Manuscript-to-journal fit
- Whether the manuscript topic falls within the journal's scope
- Whether the journal has published related subject areas
- Whether similar research methods appear in published articles
- How the manuscript's references relate to the candidate journal
- Whether relevant article types and submission requirements are available
- Other information that may help the author compare candidate journals
What you receive
The service provides a researched shortlist of six candidate journals together with comparison information intended to help you make the final selection.
Six journals for comparison
Wallace identifies six candidate journals based on the manuscript information and the research conducted during the screening process.
The report is not a promise that any journal will accept the manuscript. Editorial screening and peer review remain entirely under the journal's control.
A structured decision aid
Each candidate can be reviewed through a common set of journal-quality, publication-format, manuscript-fit, author, and literature-related considerations.
See an example of the report
Wallace's existing sample materials show the structure and type of information used in earlier journal-selection reports.
Sample Journal Selection Report
View an archived report for Evaluation and Program Planning to see how journal information and manuscript-fit questions were organized.
View Sample ReportReport Explanation
This companion document explains the purpose of the journal-selection report and how its different evaluation sections are intended to be read.
View Report ExplanationWhat we need from you
The more complete the manuscript information, the more effectively the research can focus on relevant candidate journals.
Your manuscript
Upload the full paper when possible so the research team can understand the study topic, method, structure, and intended contribution.
Keywords and references
Keywords and the manuscript reference list provide useful context for identifying related journals, research communities, and previously published work.
Your requirements
Tell us about indexing requirements, publication deadlines, open-access preferences, or other practical constraints that may affect your journal choice.
Journal selection FAQ
A few important points to keep in mind before using any journal-targeting service.
Does journal selection guarantee acceptance?
No. The service helps authors compare candidate journals using available information. Editorial screening, peer review, revision requests, and acceptance decisions are controlled by the journal and cannot be guaranteed.
Is the journal with the highest impact factor always the best choice?
Not necessarily. Impact metrics may be relevant to some authors, but journal scope, readership, article type, research method, publication model, indexing requirements, and manuscript fit can also be important.
Can journal information change after the report is prepared?
Yes. Journals can change editors, fees, indexing status, submission systems, author guidelines, publication schedules, and other policies. Authors should therefore confirm critical requirements again before submission.
Can Wallace also help after I choose a journal?
Yes. Depending on your needs, separate services are available for journal formatting, manuscript editing, translation, and journal-submission support.
Need help comparing possible target journals?
Send us your manuscript, references, keywords, and any journal requirements that matter to you. We can review the project and confirm the journal-selection service scope, turnaround time, and quotation.