Journal of Neuroscience Research
Full title: Journal of Neuroscience Research (JNR) Publisher: Wiley-Liss Founded: 1975 Frequency: Monthly ISSN: 0360-4012 Impact Factor (2020):
- 2-year IF ≈ 2.59
- 5-year IF ≈ 2.77
- Peak IF ≈ 4.16
Indexing: PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science
📈 Strengths
- Broad thematic coverage: molecular, cellular, systems, developmental, translational neuroscience, and neurological disorders.
- Indexed in major databases: ensuring accessibility and citation potential.
- Accepts diverse article types: original research, reviews, mini-reviews, and commentaries.
- Reasonable review times:
- First decision in ~2–3 months.
- Review feedback is often constructive, even after rejection.
- Moderate acceptance rate: ~46% (SciRev data).
⚠️ Weaknesses and Criticisms
- Lower prestige compared to leading journals such as:
- *Nature Neuroscience* (IF > 20)
- *Neuron*
- *Journal of Neuroscience* (IF ~3.9)
- Impact Factor pressure: like many journals, may be influenced by strategies to optimize citation metrics.
- Desk rejections may limit diversity: anecdotal evidence suggests potential for early editorial rejection without full peer review.
- Mixed author experience: while many report fair and useful feedback, others note delays in reviewer assignment and editorial decisions.
🎯 Recommendations
| Target Audience | Why JNR Might Be Suitable |
|---|---|
| Specialized neuroscientists | Mid-tier visibility with rigorous peer review. |
| Early-career researchers | Constructive reviews and better acceptance chances. |
| Translational studies | Welcomes experimental designs across models. |
| Avoid if… | You aim for high-impact exposure or broad media reach. |
🧭 Summary
*Journal of Neuroscience Research* offers a reliable, mid-tier publication platform with a wide scope and consistent indexing. It provides solid peer review and acceptable turnaround times. However, it lacks the prestige of top-tier journals and may not be ideal for researchers aiming at maximum impact and visibility.