Navigating Neuropsychology 182 | Demystifying the Scientific Process in Neuropsychology (Part 1): How Journals Work – A Conversation With Dr. Steven Paul Woods
Jan 1, 2026
Dr. Steven Paul Woods, Professor and director of clinical training at the University of Houston and incoming editor-in-chief of Neuropsychology, walks through how academic journals function. He covers why publishing matters, choosing the right journal, spotting predatory outlets, peer review and editorial roles. The conversation also explores open science, editorial culture, and paths into journal work.
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What Journals Actually Do
- Journals provide the editorial infrastructure to solicit, review, and publish work that fits a journal's scope and aims.
- Neuropsychology journals publish ~20–100 papers/year and prioritize rigor, novelty, and impact when selecting articles.
Pick Journal By Audience First
- Start with the audience: pick a journal based on who needs to read your paper, then write to that audience and format accordingly.
- Target clinical journals for practitioner-focused work, Neuropsychology for experimental work, and population journals for population-focused samples.
How To Spot Predatory Journals
- Avoid predatory journals by checking indexing, publisher reputation, editorial board, and odd solicitations.
- Look for PubMed indexing, long operation history, reputable publisher, reasonable review timelines, and recognizable author bylines.
