Perspectives on Medical Education (09/09/24) Vol. 13, No. 1, P. 442 Maggio, LA; Chtena, N; Alperin, JP; et al.

In light of new publishing models, the growing threat of predatory journals, and other changes, investigators explored how medical education authors decide where to publish their work. Their analysis was based on audio transcripts from five focus groups, where 22 authors who had published in medical journals or editors who ran them discussed the selection process for manuscript submission. Analysis of the transcripts affirmed the role of quality, impact, and fit with journal scope in decision-making, along with journal audience and technical factors such as word limit and turn-around time. In addition to these factors, which have historically been documented not only in health reporting but across other disciplines, the update highlighted a new focus on social factors, relationships, and personal experiences when narrowing down target journals. The study authors also reported that today's researchers take open-access status into consideration and assign less importance to journal prestige. The findings, they hope, "will help new and seasoned researchers navigate the evolving complexities of journal selection and alert editors to those factors and signals, such that they can be highlighted in their journal processes."

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