Academic Journal Guide

We understand that members of the research community are eagerly awaiting the publication of AJG 2024. In addition to the usual journal grades and citation metrics ranks, the new edition of the Guide will include contextual metrics which will provide a much richer experience for AJG users. The new edition will be published in early autumn and will go further in supporting academics and deans in the navigation of the research environment and its complexity, through the provision of robust evidence-informed information and data. We look forward to sharing it with you.

The purpose of the AJG is to assist researchers to make informed judgements about the outlets they may wish to publish in. It provides details on a wide range of journals, stretching across fields that are either central or salient to business and management studies; in other words, it aims to encompass a broad set of journals in which business and management academics may seek to publish their research.

The AJG’s ratings are based upon peer review, editorial and expert judgements following the evaluation of many hundreds of publications and is informed by statistical information relating to citation.

The AJG is distinctive in that, unlike other journal ratings, it is not based purely on a weighted average of journal metrics. Rather, the AJG is informed by metrics. The ratings of journals reflect the outcomes of consultations carried out by the subject experts of the Scientific Committee with expert peers and scholarly associations as to the relative standing of journals in each subject area.

We advise that users read the AJG's Methodology to understand the aims of the 2021 edition and how journal ratings are judged.

Download the methodology here.

• As the name suggests, the AJG is a ‘guide’. It should not be used as a ‘one stop shop’ to decide where to publish nor to evaluate individuals’ research outputs.

• We advise that users of the guide should also seek advice and recommendations from peers and the academic community more generally.

• Although the best work is clustered in a limited number of leading journals, good work may be encountered in a wide range of different places; this highlights the merit of reading work.

• Consider the relevance and quality of journals not listed in the Guide, including new journals, but be aware of predatory outlets.

• The AJG seeks to encourage good practices in journal publishing. As well as considering a journal’s rating and relevance, consider other factors such as the composition and diversity of its editorial board, its fee charging practices, or its acceptance rates.

• It is important that users of the AJG understand the methodology. By reading the methodology you will understand how a journal rating came about, and how the AJG’s metrics are derived.