How to use a journal’s aims and scope to find the right fit for your research
When choosing a journal to submit your article to, it’s important to make sure it’s the right fit. To help with this, every journal on Taylor & Francis Online has an aims and scope statement.
This is a powerful resource that you can use to choose the best journal for your research. Read on for guidance on how to use the aims and scope of an academic journal.
You will also understand the important points to consider when deciding if the journal is right for your research.
Make sure you read the journal’s aims and scope when choosing a journal.
Once you’ve selected your journal, read the instructions for authors while writing your paper.
What is a journal aims and scope statement?
A journal’s aim is the objective or purpose of what the journal is trying to accomplish.
The scope is how the journal will accomplish this.
The aims and scope statement includes:
- A brief introduction to the journal
- An outline of the subjects covered
- The type of articles published (and what it doesn’t publish)
- Its peer-review policy
- Information about Open Access (OA) publishing options
What are the benefits of open access publishing?
Open access can help your work reach new readers, beyond those with easy access to a research library.
How to use the aims and scope to know if a journal is the right fit for your research
Once you have read the journal’s aims and scope, consider the following points:
- Is your research relevant to the journal’s audience? Consider whether the language is too technical for a journal that has a large, general readership, or if your research is too country-specific for a journal with a global audience. Are the journal’s readers experts in several subjects, or more specialized in one?
- Is your article type appropriate for the journal? For example, the journal may not accept editorials, or clinical studies.
- Is your work too similar to other articles in the journal? Your manuscript needs to be a good fit, but the journal may not accept your article if there are too many similarities with existing articles. This does not apply across the board, for example F1000Research publishes without editorial bias, welcoming original articles regardless of novelty.
Note that It’s important to reference the aims and scope of the journal in your cover letter. This will show the editor that you have taken the time to fully consider how your paper is a good fit for the journal, and how it will help to achieve the purpose of the journal.
How to find the aims and scope of a journal on Taylor & Francis Online
The aims and scope are found on the journal’s home page on Taylor & Francis Online.
Journal’s home page showing the aims and scope
Journal’s aims and scope page
From word limits to referencing, find out everything there is to know with the instructions for authors.
You will find them on your chosen journal’s homepage on Taylor & Francis Online
For more help to find the right home for your research, read our guidance on choosing a journal.
You might also like to try the Taylor & Francis Journal Suggester, an artificial intelligence tool that suggests target journals based on your abstract.
The IFAs will tell you everything that the editorial board will be expecting to see in your paper, including word counts and style guides.