Q. Are there any journals that publish student research?

Publishing as a student is a valuable experience...not only will you gain a deeper knowledge of your topic, but you'll be actively participating in the scholarship of your field (it will look great on your resume!). 

There are a number of scholarly journals that specialize in research by college students.  The Saber & Scroll Journal at APUS is one example.  See more at the links below:

• Student Journals
• Undergraduate Research Journals

You are not limited to student journals, however!  Most journals will publish articles written by anyone, so long as the article itself, and the research that it reports, are up to its standards.  Keep in mind that most scholarly journals have high standards that are a challenge even for experienced authors.  Don't be discouraged: Even if your paper is rejected, you will receive valuable feedback for improving it, and you can try again! 

When you are choosing a journal to submit your work, you can begin by browsing titles by subjects that are related to your research question.  When you have identified a journal that seems like a good fit for your manuscript, visit the journal's website and look for a page for authors.  The location of this page will vary from journal to journal - it may be linked on the homepage, but you may need to explore the site's navigation to find it. The author page will explain the kinds of articles that the journal accepts (types of research, preferred subjects, etc.).  Read this information carefully, paying particular attention to submission requirements.

As you "shop" for journals, be sure to stay alert for predatory publishers.  This site can help: Think. Check. Submit.

Below are a few helpful journal selection tools:

• Journal/Author Name Estimator (JANE)
• Jot Journal Selector
• Elsevier Journal Finder
• Taylor & Francis Journal Suggester
• Springer Journal Selector
• Sage Journal Recommender
• Web of Science Manuscript Matcher

   

Additional tips:

• Read some articles that have already been published by the journal that you're considering submitting an article to; these articles will help you understand what a successful manuscript should (and should not) include.
• If you're uncertain about whether your research is publishable, consider reaching out to your faculty. They may be able to advise you on preparing your manuscript, and may have journal recommendations.

For more tips on successful publishing, see:

• Getting Published in Writing@APUS 
• Dissemination in the SAGE Research Methods Project Planner.