What are the most important considerations when selecting a mechanical testing publication?

In my experience, it is important to check out the IMPACT factor. Last few years quite a few journals came out in this field, I would not want to publish with them.

In my experience the best way to find relevant journal for our manuscript to be accepted in any publication is to read the aims and scope of the journal of interest thoroughly. Also finding a journal that have topics related specifically to mechanical testing is rare in my opinion. If a researcher want to showcase his/her novelty in any mechanical testing I suggest that they should opt for a journal that has scope in the field of materials analysis and also the application studies of the studied mechanical testing.

Scope and relevance nowadays become wider for every publisher to catch more of the attention of researchers, even though some publishers have several journals that could handle particular scope and relevance. In order to choose a proper place to publish your research, I prefer to track previous publications from a similar scoop/topic as yours. Basically, it will be correlated to the journal/publisher’s reputation. However, because impact and reputation somehow could be changed regularly through some metrics, the deep finding of the published works in certain journals of publishers should be a very important aspect before submission.

Select mechanical testing publications based on credibility, preferably from reputable journals or experts, with a strong peer-review process. Consider the impact factor and author credentials. Ensure relevance to your specific field, check recentness, and assess experimental rigor, sample size, and diversity. Look for clear result presentations and consider open access or paid options. A multidisciplinary approach and consideration of feedback and citations contribute to a well-rounded choice.

It is essential to thoroughly examine the aims and scope of the publication to ensure it aligns with your specific interests. Look for keywords or subject areas to determine if they match your preferences. Assess whether the publication is suitable for your level of expertise. Some publications cater to a broad audience, while others may be more specialized and targeted towards advanced researchers or practitioners. Examine the content of the publication, particularly the methodologies and applications discussed. Evaluate whether the information presented is practical, reliable, and has the potential to contribute to further developments, or exploration of new possibilities.

Investigate the citation count of articles from the publication. A higher citation count generally indicates a wider readership and greater impact. Explore databases such as Web of Science, Scopus, or Google Scholar to find the impact factor, h-index, or other relevant metrics for the publication. Compare these metrics with those of other journals in the field to gauge its relative standing. Look for information on the publication's website regarding its peer-review process and editorial standards. A rigorous peer-review process ensures the quality of published work. Check if the journal is affiliated with reputable academic societies or institutions, as this can also be an indicator of high editorial standards.

I prefer journals that will allow me to publish a preprint (or post-publication print) in a community repository, such as arXiv. This provides free access for anyone interested, while the journal version has a nicer format and ensures the peer review process.

I like the journals that have online publications with world wide access, and ideally free access. This way, my research can reach most audiences!

One thing I have found with the research community is that if you publish in a high impact factor journal then researchers consider it as a "quality work". However, I do not agree with this notion. Besides some publications with high impact factor make the manuscripts open access and they think that it is made available for everyone. But the researchers need to pay a hefty amount for their manuscripts to be published and they are unable to find fundings for the same. The publication houses should look through this issue make it easy for both the researchers as well as the general community in order to make scientific knowledge available free all over the globe.

Understand the publication's access model. Open-access journals make their content freely available to the public. Subscription-based journals may require payment for access, while some publications operate on a pay-per-view model for individual articles. Choose a model that aligns with your budget and preferences. Visit the publication's official website and navigate to sections such as "For Authors," "Subscriptions," or "Access Policies." Review the publication's policies, fee structures, and any available information on discounts or waivers.

Evaluate the structure and organization of sample articles from the publication. Well-organized articles should have clear headings, subheadings, and a logical flow of information. Clarity and conciseness are crucial for effective communication of ideas. Check the compatibility and adaptability of the files and formats used by the publication. Compatible file formats ensure ease of access and sharing. Assess whether the publication provides clear and user-friendly templates for authors, making the submission process straightforward and maintaining a consistent style.

Look for information on the publication's website or contact the editorial team to inquire about the average time taken for decision-making, the quality of feedback provided by reviewers, and the transparency in the revision process. Timely and constructive feedback contributes to a smoother publication process.Inquire about opportunities, events, and resources provided by the publication to authors, such as workshops, webinars, or resources to enhance research skills. Publications that actively support their community contribute to a more enriching scholarly experience.

For me, the most important consideration when selecting any publication is the relevance of its information to the information I'm looking for. Every other thing is secondary. For example, if I'm looking for various methods used for testing a material mechanically, I would specifically look for any relevant content in the publication. If such content is unavailable, then such publication is not useful to me at that moment. The reason for searching for publication in the first instance is to look for information relevant to your needs.

The time to publish. Some of the journals have very long time to publish, even up to a year. Unfortunately, that is too long for me.