JACS vs JACS Au for Publication: Fees, Quality, Audience, and Strategic Insights

JACS vs JACS Au for Publication

The choice between publishing in JACS or JACS Au depends primarily on journal reputation, open access strategy, target audience, and cost considerations. Both journals are published by the American Chemical Society (ACS) but differ in several key aspects, including prestige, readership size, and publication model.

Publication Fees and Open Access Options

Authors face similar open access (OA) fees in both journals. The typical charge for OA publishing in either JACS or JACS Au is about $4000. This raises a question: why would an author choose JACS Au for open access when the established JACS journal offers the same option at the same cost?

• JACS offers hybrid publishing where authors can choose OA or subscription-based access.
• JACS Au is a fully open access journal, but carries the same publication fee as JACS does for OA articles.

The financial incentive for choosing JACS Au over JACS on the basis of open access fees is minimal to none. This equivalence in fees makes the choice more dependent on other factors such as journal prestige and audience.

Quality and Prestige Comparison

JACS has a long-standing reputation as one of the highest impact journals in chemistry. It attracts a broad and large readership and publishes high-quality, influential manuscripts.

JACS Au, being newer, is widely perceived to have lower prestige and a smaller readership than JACS. Although it shares the ACS branding and “JACS” acronym, the similarity in name does not imply equal standing. The name usage can be seen as a strategic marketing effort leveraging JACS’s established reputation.

• JACS is recognized for publishing groundbreaking work across all chemistry subfields.
• JACS Au is developing its reputation but has not yet reached the same level of influence or quality perception.
• Authors and readers often view JACS Au as less selective and less impactful.

Target Audience and Journal Scope

The audience for JACS comprises general chemists and researchers interested in diverse chemistry topics. It aims for broad appeal across the chemical sciences.

In contrast, JACS Au targets those specifically seeking open access chemistry publications. It is still establishing its niche and readership size.

The comparison to other ACS journals, like the Journal of Medicinal Chemistry (J Med Chem), illustrates how different journals serve distinct communities. For example, J Med Chem focuses on clinical small molecule candidates, which JACS does not.

JACS Au is regarded as less important relative to the flagship JACS, partly due to its novelty and developing scope.

The Newness of JACS Au

JACS Au started recently; its short history influences its standing. New journals typically lack citation history and widespread recognition. This limits their immediate impact and can affect authors’ willingness to submit their best work early on.

Established journals like JACS have built their reputations over many decades. Authors often prefer them for maximum exposure and career advancement.

Strategic Considerations for Authors

Authors should assess these factors before choosing between JACS and JACS Au:

1. Do they want their paper to be open access?
2. If yes, do they prefer publishing in a fully open access journal or using the OA option in an established journal?
3. Can they afford the OA publication fees?
4. Who is the target audience for their article? Should the journal be general or more specialized?

Decisions should not rely solely on perceived prestige or fees but also consider strategic alignment with research goals and readership.

Recommended Alternatives

For authors seeking fully open access journals with impact and scope comparable to JACS, ACS Central Science may be a suitable option. It is a well-regarded, fully OA journal from ACS that covers broad chemistry topics.

ACS Central Science offers a balance of open access, broad audience, and higher impact than JACS Au currently holds, making it attractive for many researchers.

Overall Publishing Advice

Authors are encouraged to discuss publication options with advisors and mentors. Editorial emails promoting JACS Au should be examined critically and not taken at face value. Reflective consideration of journal fit, audience, cost, and career impact remains vital.

Publishing choices are strategic; a single metric like OA fee or journal name does not capture the full picture.

Key Takeaways

• JACS and JACS Au charge roughly equal open access fees, making OA cost differences irrelevant for choice.
• JACS is more prestigious with higher quality and wider readership than the newer and less established JACS Au.
• JACS serves a broad chemistry audience, while JACS Au targets those seeking fully open access options but is less impactful.
• Journal age affects reputation; JACS Au’s newness limits its standing.
• ACS Central Science offers a strong alternative for fully open access publication with broad scope and impact.
• Authors should assess goals, audience, cost, and journal scope before submitting, and seek advisor input.

Q1: Why choose JACS Au over JACS if both have similar open access fees?

Both journals charge about $4000 for open access. Since JACS offers open access, paying the same for JACS Au may not provide clear benefits. Authors should weigh other factors like journal scope before deciding.

Q2: How does the quality of JACS Au compare to JACS?

JACS is seen as higher quality with broader readership. JACS Au is newer and considered less prestigious. The shared name can confuse, but their impact and reputation differ significantly.

Q3: What audience does JACS target compared to JACS Au?

JACS serves a general chemistry audience. JACS Au is a full open access journal but currently has less influence. Authors wanting specialized readership may consider other ACS journals.

Q4: Does the newness of JACS Au affect its reputation?

Being a new journal, JACS Au lacks the established reputation of JACS. This may influence readers’ and authors’ perception of its impact and importance.

Q5: What should authors consider before choosing between JACS and JACS Au?

• Do you want open access?
• Can you afford the fee?
• Who is your target audience?
• Do you prefer a well-established or a full open access journal?

Q6: Are there better alternatives for full open access with broad scope?

ACS Central Science offers full open access with impact and broadness closer to JACS. It may suit authors seeking high visibility without subscription fees.