Where to publish?
Where you publish the results of your research is important. Consider carefully what you want to achieve, who your primary target group is, and how you can reach them.
To achieve publishing points, you must publish in a publication channel that is approved at level 1 (lowest) or level 2 (highest) in the Norwegian Register for Scientific Journals, Series and Publishers. Your publication must satisfy the criteria that define it as scientific according to the Universities Norway (UHR) report, A Bibliometric Model for Performance-based Budgeting of Research Institutions, from 2004.
Level X was introduced in the register in 2021. Publication channels from level 1 or 0 may ble moved to level X when quality is in doubt, but will still count as if on their former level. A relegation to level 0 won't be in effect until the following year.
Consider your identity and profile as a researcher – which is your arena?
Think about yourself, your peers and colleagues, your extended network and your professional ideals. Which journals do you read? Where do the debates in which you want to participate take place? Which book series and publishers’ profiles appeal to you? Choose your language, genre, journal/book/publisher accordingly.
Save time and effort: consider where to publish early in the writing process
Search the Norwegian Register for Scientific Journals, Series and Publishers, Oria or relevant subject databases for journals, and assess them carefully. Visit their websites to learn about their profile, what kind of submissions they welcome, and author guidelines. Who are the editor and members of the editorial board? It might also be useful to find out more about the process from submission through peer review to publication, and what time frame to expect.
Journal rankings
Internationally, journals are ranked by metrics other than the Norwegian model with levels 1 and 2. Read more about this on our page on Journal Impact Factor.
Open Access publishing
Many research results are published in subscription-based journals. If you would like your results to be openly available to anyone, also outside higher education and research institutions, you should consider publishing in an Open Access channel. You can apply to HVL for financial support to cover publication fees (APC).
Beware of predatory publishers
Be careful, especially when someone who wants to publish your research contacts you; there are dubious players in the market. Not all who get in touch are frauds, obviously, but beware. If an offer seems too good to be true, it probably is just that. Before accepting an invitation to publish, always consider: 1) do I trust this publisher, and 2) will publishing in this channel benefit me and help me reach my goals? Take care of your research and of your own reputation as a researcher.
Feel free to contact the library for advice on publication channels.