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Identify journal publishers

To identify a journal publisher for your research, you will want to match your research topic to a journal that publishes in that area. You can use a variety of methods to locate journals, such as using subject databases, using Ulrich's Periodicals Directory, or using a journal finder tool. Any or all of these methods can be helpful. You want to make sure that you identify a journal that will be a good fit for your research.

Use subject databases to identify journals

To locate journals through the subject databases, you need to search by topic.

  • Once you have a list of search results on your topic, look through the results to see the journals in which the research was published.
  • If you see patterns, such as one or two journals coming up over and over, this is a good indicator that the journal has published articles on this topic, and may be interested in your research.
  • Once you have some journal names, investigate the journals. You may want to browse through the journal to see what other research they are publishing. Locate the journal's webpage, if possible and explore their submission guidelines and policies.

More information: 

Use Ulrich's to identify journals

Ulrich's Periodicals Directory is a directory that includes information about journals. You can use Ulrich's to find journals by subject or information about a specific journal, including publisher and indexing information. To locate information on a specific journal, search for the journal title and then click on the correct journal to view more information.

This is how to locate journals by subject area:

  1. Start at the Library home page.
  2. Click on the Databases A-Z button.


     
  3. You will see an alphabetical breakout at the top of the page. Click on the letter of the alphabet that corresponds to the database name, in this case U.
  4. Click on the link for Ulrich's Periodicals Directory.

    Note: If you haven't already logged in to the Walden Library databases, you may be prompted to log in with your Walden username and password.
     
  5. Click on Advanced Search near the search box.


     
  6. Change the Title drop-down menu to Subject (Keyword).


     
  7. Enter your keyword(s) in the search box.

    Note: Keep your search broad. For example, your research interest may focuse on artificial intelligence frameworks, logic, and argumentation. Enter the broader topic of artificial intelligence in the search box, instead of the more specialized topic.
     
  8. Click Search.

You will see a list of journals that fit the broader subject. Click the journal title to get more information about a journal.

Use journal finders to identify journals

Journal finders help match your article to potential journals. Some use keyword matching from information pulled from your title and abstract, and others help you discover journals in a subject area. Journal finders may focus on journals in specific subject areas, or journals from specific publishers. The one thing to keep in mind is that no journal finder will include EVERY journal. You may need to use a variety of these tools to discover the journal that is right for you.

The following list focuses on some of the free journal finder tools available. This is not a comprehensive list, and does not include subscription or fee-based tools.

A directory that gathers information on open access journals. Use the Browse Subjects tab to discover open access journals in a subject area.

Journal finder matches title and abstract to journals available through Elsevier publishing.

Create or sign in to your free EndNote Web account, then click on the tab for Match to match title, abstract, and reference list information to articles from Web of Science.

JANE matches title, abstract, or keywords to documents in MEDLINE to help locate health science journals.

Browse journals by subject, or get journal recommendations based on keywords in your paper's title and abstract. Does not supply information on how journal information is gathered or what journals are used.

Journal suggester matches title and abstract to journals available through Springer publishing.

Browse journals by subject or search journals by keyword to locate journals in a subject area available through Wiley publishing.

Identify book publishers

The American Association of University Presses provides information on finding a publisher. While much of the information is available for members only, they do offer a free download of their grid which matches subject areas with university presses.