Think Check Submit
Think. Check. Submit. is a cross-industry initiative designed to help researchers identify trusted journals and publishers for their research. In an age where predatory publishing and low-quality journals are on the rise, Think. Check. Submit. provides a practical framework that helps researchers make informed decisions about where to submit their work, ensuring that their research is published in reputable venues.
Think Check Submit
Think. Check. Submit. is a cross-industry initiative designed to help researchers identify trusted journals and publishers for their research. In an age where predatory publishing and low-quality journals are on the rise, Think. Check. Submit. provides a practical framework that helps researchers make informed decisions about where to submit their work, ensuring that their research is published in reputable venues.
History and Evolution of Think. Check. Submit.
Think. Check. Submit. was launched in 2015 by a coalition of academic and publishing organizations, including the Directory of Open Access Journals (DOAJ), the International Association of Scientific, Technical, and Medical Publishers (STM), and the Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE). The initiative was developed in response to the growing problem of predatory journals—publications that exploit the open-access model by charging fees without providing legitimate peer review or editorial services.
The initiative provides researchers with a simple checklist that guides them through the process of evaluating journals and publishers. This checklist helps researchers to avoid deceptive or predatory practices and ensures that their work is published in journals that adhere to recognized standards of quality and integrity.
Key Components of Think. Check. Submit.
Think. Check. Submit. is built around a practical, step-by-step checklist that guides researchers through the evaluation process. This checklist addresses critical aspects of journal and publisher quality, providing researchers with the tools they need to make informed decisions.
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Think: The first step encourages researchers to carefully consider where they want to publish their work. This includes reflecting on the goals of their research, the target audience, and the types of journals that are appropriate for their discipline. Researchers are prompted to think about the impact and visibility of their work, as well as the reputation of potential publication venues.
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Check: This step involves a detailed assessment of the journal or publisher. Researchers are guided to check key indicators of quality, such as the journal's editorial board, peer review process, publication fees, and indexing status. The checklist provides specific questions to ask, such as: 'Is the journal clear about its peer review process?Are the editorial board members recognized experts in the field?Is the publisher a member of recognized industry standards organizations, such as COPE or DOAJ?'.
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Submit: The final step is submission, but only after the researcher is confident that the journal meets acceptable standards of quality and integrity. Think. Check. Submit. emphasizes the importance of being selective and only submitting to journals that meet rigorous criteria.
Mission and Core Principles of Think. Check. Submit.
The primary mission of Think. Check. Submit. is to protect the integrity of scholarly communication by helping researchers identify trustworthy journals and publishers. The initiative emphasizes the importance of critical evaluation and due diligence when selecting a publication venue, ensuring that research findings are disseminated in reputable sources.
The core principles of Think. Check. Submit. include transparency, accountability, and informed decision-making. The initiative encourages researchers to take an active role in verifying the credibility of journals, rather than relying solely on claims made by publishers. By promoting these principles, Think. Check. Submit. helps to uphold the quality of the scholarly record and protects researchers from the negative consequences of publishing in questionable outlets.
Educational Resources and Outreach
Think. Check. Submit. offers a range of resources to support researchers, librarians, and academic institutions. The initiative provides educational materials, including videos, guides, and infographics, that explain how to use the checklist and navigate the publication process. Workshops and webinars are also conducted to raise awareness about predatory publishing and promote best practices in journal selection.
The initiative collaborates with universities, research institutions, and funding bodies to integrate the checklist into training programs and research guidelines. By embedding these resources into the academic environment, Think. Check. Submit. helps to build a culture of critical evaluation and informed publishing decisions.
Impact of Think. Check. Submit. on the Research Community
Think. Check. Submit. has had a significant impact on the research community by empowering researchers to take control of their publishing decisions. The initiative's emphasis on transparency and accountability helps to counteract the rise of predatory journals, protecting researchers from exploitation and ensuring that their work is published in credible outlets.
The checklist provides a clear, accessible framework that can be used by researchers at all career stages, from early-career scientists to seasoned academics. By promoting a standardized approach to journal evaluation, Think. Check. Submit. contributes to the overall integrity of the scholarly publishing ecosystem.
Conclusion
Think. Check. Submit. is an invaluable tool for researchers navigating the complex landscape of scholarly publishing. Through its practical checklist and commitment to promoting transparency, the initiative helps researchers make informed decisions about where to publish their work, ensuring that their research is disseminated in reputable and trustworthy venues. As the threat of predatory publishing continues to grow, Think. Check. Submit. plays a crucial role in safeguarding the quality and integrity of the academic literature, ultimately benefiting the global research community.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
History and Evolution of Think. Check. Submit.
Key Components of Think. Check. Submit.
Mission and Core Principles of Think. Check. Submit.
Educational Resources and Outreach
Impact of Think. Check. Submit. on the Research Community
Conclusion
Resource Library
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