Factors Influencing Journal Publication choice among University of Benin Lecturers

Abstract

Background: Publication of a scientific research in a peer-reviewed journal is one of the most common written means of disseminating of findings which is of importance to all researchers. However, it is also an area that often present challenges, and can result in disagreements among researchers, especially regarding the choice of journal for publication
Objective: To determine the factors influencing journal publication choice among University of Benin lecturers.
Methods: This prospective cross-sectional study was conducted among lecturers across the thirteen (13) faculties in University of Benin, Benin City. Data collection tool was a nineteen (19) item, selfadministered questionnaire which elicited information on demographic characteristics, human determinant of journal publication choice and factors influencing journal publication choice. Six (6) of the questions were demographic characteristics which assessed age, sex, status, experience, faculty and department of participants. One question which assessed the human determinants of journal choice was a semi-structured question containing both closed and open-ended response options. The remaining twelve (12) questions assessed factors influencing the journal choice. The responses were scored as irrelevant = 1, less important = 2, important = 3 and extremely important = 4. The mean and standard error of mean were computed for each variable to determine the most ranked factor.
Results: A total of 53 lecturers who have worked between 1 and 38 years compromising 39 (73.6%) males and 14 (26.4%) females from 33 departments of all the 13 faculties were studied. The journal choice is mainly a sole decision (66.0%) of the principal investigator. Prestige, promotion and journal impact factor were the three most ranked factors in journal publication choice. The ranking of the factors was not influenced by sex, faculty, academic status, and years of experience of the participants.
Conclusion: Data from this study revealed that journal choice is mainly a sole decision of the principal investigator and the factors that influenced the choice were prestige, promotion and journal impact factor. Nation-wide study is highly recommended.