Journals Research

A Europe-wide research project has been conducted in 2020 to investigate journal ranking systems and their value to public relations and communication academics. The purpose of this study is to evaluate how academics use journal ranking systems, what their impact is on career and research decisions and to construct a list of preferred publications for public relations and communication scholars. As a result, the team produced a set of recommended titles for use in the discipline to support new scholars and the research development of the field.

The project consists of two stages. The first is a Delphi research project, which involves asking experts in the field for their insights and opinions on relevant journals and ranking systems and reaching convergence over time. The second is a wider consultation that validates the journal list produced during the Delphi phase, and also adds to the understanding of how ranking lists are used by scholars at different stages in the academic career path.

Project leader

Ralph Tench
Leeds Beckett University, UK
R.Tench@leedsbeckett.ac.uk