How to find free journals for publication: Journals without a publication Fee
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Don’t assume every journal charges article processing or publication fees; many publish without APCs.
Briefing
Finding a publication outlet without paying article processing or publication fees is possible, and the transcript stresses that the “all journals are paid” belief is wrong. Many journals publish without charging article processing charges (APCs) or publication fees, so researchers should actively search for free options before defaulting to paid venues—especially when timelines and career incentives don’t require paying.
A first approach uses Google Scholar as a keyword-driven discovery tool. By entering the topic terms from a manuscript—such as “green HRM” for work on green human resource management—researchers can surface journals that have published on the same subject. The transcript gives examples of journal names that appear in results for that keyword search. However, it also warns that newcomers may struggle to judge journal quality based on search results alone, which limits Google Scholar’s usefulness for identifying genuinely appropriate free journals.
For researchers who are new or uncertain about quality screening, the transcript recommends starting with curated journal databases, then verifying fees before submitting. It highlights Emerald Insight as a key example: journals listed there are described as free of publication or article processing fees. The workflow is practical—search within Emerald Insight using relevant keywords (for example, “management”), then review the returned journal options.
After selecting a candidate journal, the transcript emphasizes checking key publication details directly on the journal’s main page. It points to impact factor information and indexing status, including whether the journal is indexed in Scopus or listed in Web of Science, along with other indexing indicators shown on the landing page. It also notes that the journal’s “About the Journal” section typically contains submission instructions and requirements.
As a concrete example, the transcript walks through opening “African Journal of economics and management studies” from the Emerald Insight results. It describes how the journal page shows basic publication structure—such as the number of issues per year—and provides access to submission guidance and indexing metrics. The transcript further mentions that the journal’s page displays abstracting and indexing bodies, including Scopus-related metrics, Web of Science-related visibility, ABDC ranking, and inclusion in Emerging Sources Citation Index.
Overall, the core message is a two-step strategy: discover candidate journals using searchable databases, then verify both cost (no APC/publication fee) and credibility signals (impact factor and indexing/abstracting status) before submitting a manuscript. This approach aims to help researchers publish without unnecessary fees while still maintaining basic quality checks.
Cornell Notes
The transcript argues that free publication is often available because not all journals charge article processing or publication fees. It recommends avoiding paid journals unless urgency or career needs make the cost worthwhile. For discovery, it suggests using Google Scholar with manuscript keywords, but it cautions that beginners may not be able to assess journal quality from search results alone. A more reliable workflow is to search curated databases such as Emerald Insight, then confirm that the journal charges no APC/publication fee. After selecting a journal, researchers should check impact factor and indexing status (e.g., Scopus, Web of Science, ABDC, and Emerging Sources Citation Index) and review the “About the Journal” submission requirements.
Why does the transcript say researchers shouldn’t assume every journal charges APCs or publication fees?
How does Google Scholar help find potential journals, and what limitation does it introduce for new researchers?
What is the recommended alternative to Google Scholar for beginners who need a more structured search?
What specific checks should be performed on a journal’s page after selecting it from a database?
What example journal is used to illustrate the step-by-step verification process?
Review Questions
- What two-stage workflow does the transcript recommend for finding free journals, and why is each stage necessary?
- How do the transcript’s suggested uses of Google Scholar and Emerald Insight differ in terms of quality control?
- Which journal page elements (fees, impact factor, indexing, submission requirements) should be verified before submitting a manuscript?
Key Points
- 1
Don’t assume every journal charges article processing or publication fees; many publish without APCs.
- 2
Use Google Scholar keyword searches to discover journals relevant to a manuscript topic, but don’t rely on it alone for quality assessment.
- 3
For beginners, search curated databases like Emerald Insight and verify that the journal charges no publication or article processing fee.
- 4
After selecting a journal, check impact factor and indexing/abstracting status such as Scopus and Web of Science.
- 5
Review the journal’s “About the Journal” section for submission requirements and guidance before submitting.
- 6
Use concrete journal-page signals (e.g., ABDC ranking and Emerging Sources Citation Index) as part of credibility screening.