What to Look for When Choosing a Journal
Before submitting your research, evaluate journals on these key criteria:
- ID model research — ADDIE, Dick & Carey, backward design, and agile ID approaches
- Design-based research and iterative evaluation methodologies accepted
- Learning experience design for diverse formats — online, classroom, and blended
- Open access to reach professional instructional designers and corporate trainers
- Fast review for applied ID research with immediate professional relevance
- Acceptance of needs analysis, formative evaluation, and summative programme assessment
Recommended Journals — Cluster 5: Education & Learning Sciences
All journals below are published by Keith Publications — open access, peer-reviewed, and indexed for global discoverability.
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Columbia Journal of Education and Learning Sciences
(CJELS)
Education research, learning sciences, pedagogy, curriculum design, educational psychology, and evidence-based teaching across all levels of formal education.
Education Research Learning Sciences Pedagogy Curriculum Studies -
Columbia Journal of Education and Social Sciences
(CJESS)
Education policy, social dimensions of learning, sociology of education, inclusive education, equity, and the intersection of education with society and community.
Education Policy Social Sciences Inclusive Education Equity in Education -
Applied Psychology, Sociology, and Social Policy Journal
(APSSPJ)
Applied psychology, social behaviour, community studies, social policy, psychological interventions, and the applied social sciences informing education and wellbeing.
Applied Psychology Social Policy Community Studies Behavioural Science -
Columbia Journal of Social Sciences and Humanities
(CJSSH)
Social sciences, humanities, cultural studies, history, philosophy, linguistics, and interdisciplinary research bridging education and the human sciences.
Social Sciences Humanities Cultural Studies Interdisciplinary Research
Fast Publication: All Keith Publications journals complete initial review within 2–5 business days and full peer review within 2–4 weeks. Articles are published online within 5–10 days of acceptance — making us one of the fastest open access publishers in the education and learning sciences field.
Key Research Areas in Instructional Design
Keith Publications instructional design journals accept research across all ID areas: systematic instructional analysis and needs assessment; learning objectives specification and Bloom's taxonomy application; selection and sequencing of instructional strategies; multimedia design principles and cognitive load management; formative and summative evaluation of instructional programmes; rapid prototyping and minimum viable course design; gamification and game-based instructional design; micro-credential and modular programme design; accessibility and inclusive instructional design; and the application of AI tools in the instructional design workflow.
Instructional Design in the Professional and Corporate Sector
Instructional design research has grown beyond its educational psychology roots to become a core discipline in corporate learning and development, military training, healthcare education, and government capacity building. Keith Publications recognises this broader application and accepts ID research from professional and organisational contexts, not only traditional academic settings. Research on workplace learning design, training effectiveness measurement, performance support systems, and the ROI of structured corporate learning programmes is welcomed and published alongside academic ID scholarship.
Tips to Maximise Your Acceptance Chances
- Align your topic with the journal's scope — read the aims and scope carefully before submitting.
- Write a compelling abstract — clearly state your research question, methodology, key findings, and implications.
- Ensure methodological rigour — describe your research design, data collection, and analysis procedures transparently.
- Use current and relevant citations — include recent education research publications alongside seminal theoretical works.
- Follow formatting guidelines exactly — non-compliant manuscripts often receive desk rejection without review.
- State practical implications — explain how your findings can inform teaching practice, curriculum design, or education policy.
- Address ethical considerations — include institutional ethics approval, participant consent, and data protection statements.
Frequently Asked Questions
Related Research Guides
Explore other research journal guides in the Education & Learning Sciences cluster: