What to Look for When Choosing a Journal
Before submitting your research, evaluate journals on these key criteria:
- Interdisciplinary scope — cognitive science, neuroscience, and education connections
- Empirical rigour — experimental, quasi-experimental, and observational studies accepted
- Fast publication for rapidly evolving learning sciences research
- Open access to reach cognitive scientists, educators, and learning technology developers
- CrossRef DOI and Google Scholar indexing for broad scientific discoverability
- Transparent, affordable APC for early-career learning scientists
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.
What is Learning Sciences Research?
Learning sciences research investigates the cognitive, social, motivational, and environmental factors that influence how knowledge is acquired, retained, and applied. It draws on cognitive psychology (attention, memory, and metacognition), educational neuroscience (brain-based learning mechanisms), instructional design (optimising learning environments), and computer science (intelligent tutoring systems and learning analytics). In 2026, learning sciences research is increasingly focusing on AI-driven adaptive learning, the cognitive science of social-emotional learning, and the neuroscience of deliberate practice.
Key Research Areas in Learning Sciences
Keith Publications learning sciences journals accept research across all core areas: retrieval practice and spaced repetition effectiveness; worked example and problem-solving learning; multimedia learning and cognitive load optimisation; collaborative learning and knowledge co-construction; metacognitive monitoring and self-regulated learning; motivation, self-efficacy, and learning persistence; transfer of learning across domains and contexts; learning analytics and educational data mining; intelligent tutoring systems and adaptive learning platforms; and the learning sciences of professional and expert skill acquisition.
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: