Journal Database
At the editorial and peer review stages, animal methods bias may result in a lengthy revision period or, ultimately, rejection if authors fail to comply with requests for animal experiments. To help minimize these undesirable outcomes, the COLAAB has compiled a database of journals with a track record of publishing nonanimal studies for consideration upon submission. Submitting to an appropriate journal may not guarantee a total avoidance of the effects of animal methods bias, but it can reduce them. Choosing the right journal is also important for maximizing a study’s reach and impact.
To determine if a journal is the right fit, it is important to check that the study fits within its scope, and recent issues should also be checked for articles that contain similar methodology as the study ready for submission. Considering the journal’s audience is also crucial to this decision. Other compelling journal characteristics may also be considered, such as open access, open peer review, and the likelihood of the journal to accept negative results. (For more details on open peer review, see the text below the database.)
In addition to the database below, the following journal selectors can help determine an appropriate set of journals for a manuscript based on its abstract:
- Jane: Journal/Author Name Estimator
- JournalGuide
- EndNote Manuscript Matcher
- Elsevier JournalFinder
- SpringerNature Journal Suggester
- Wiley Journal Finder
SciRev is another valuable web resource in which authors share their experiences with specific journals’ review processes and can provide insight as to whether a particular journal may be a good fit for a given manuscript.