High School Student Academic Journals: A Comprehensive Guide

So you've been working super hard writing a research paper, and you’ve finally finished. Congrats! It’s a very impressive accolade already, but you might still be wondering how to publish a research paper for students. Showcasing your work and sharing it with the world is the intellectual version of "pics or it didn’t happen." There are a lot of different ways to showcase your work, from creating a YouTube video to making a podcast. But one of the most popular ways to showcase your research is to publish your research. Publishing your research can take the great work you’ve already done and add credibility to it and will make a stronger impression than unpublished research. Further, the process of having your work reviewed by advanced degree researchers can be a valuable experience in itself. You can receive feedback from experts and learn how to improve upon the work you’ve already done.

This article will guide you through the nuances of academic publishing options available to high school students, focusing on journals and conferences as ways to showcase your work.

Types of Academic Publishing Options

Before diving into specific journals and conferences, it's crucial to understand the different avenues available for publishing your work as a high school student.

Peer-Reviewed Journals

Peer-reviewed journals are considered more credible and prestigious due to their rigorous evaluation process. Author(s) submit their work to the journal, and the journal's editors send the work to a group of independent experts (typically grad students or other scientists with advanced degrees) in the same field or discipline. These experts are peer reviewers, who evaluate the work based on a set of predetermined criteria, including the quality of the research, the validity of the methodology, the accuracy of the data, and the originality of the findings. The peer reviewers may suggest revisions or leave comments, but ultimately the editors will decide which suggestions to give to the student. Once you’ve received suggestions, you have the opportunity to make revisions before submitting your final product back to the journal. The editor then decides whether or not your work is published.

Non-Peer-Reviewed Journals

These journals do not undergo a review process. In general, peer-reviewed journals may be seen as more credible and prestigious. However, non-peer-reviewed journals may make it easier and faster to publish your work, which can be helpful if you are pressed for time and applying to colleges soon.

Read also: Job Skills for Students

Preprint Archives

Preprint archives or servers are online repositories where student researchers can upload and share their research papers without undergoing any review process. Preprints allow students to share their findings quickly and get feedback from the scientific community, which can help improve the research while you’re waiting to hear back from journals, which typically have longer timelines and can take up to several months to publish research. Sharing your work in a preprint archive does not prohibit you from, or interfere with submitting the same work to a journal afterwards.

Research Conferences

Prefer to present your research in a presentation or verbal format? Conferences can be a great way to “publish” your research, showcase your public speaking skills, speak directly to your audience, and network with other researchers in your field.

Student-Led vs. Graduate/Professor-Led Journals

Some student-led journals may have peer-review, but the actual people peer-reviewing your work may be high school students. Other journals will have graduate students, PhD students, or even faculty reviewing your work. As you can imagine, there are tradeoffs to either option. With an advanced degree student reviewing your work, you can likely expect better and more accurate feedback. Plus, it’s cool to have an expert look over your work! However, this may also mean that the journal is more selective, whereas student-led journals may be easier to publish in. Nonetheless, getting feedback from anyone who’s knowledgeable can be a great way to polish your research and writing.

Strategy for Submitting to Multiple Journals

Ultimately, your paper can only be published in one peer-reviewed journal. Submitting the same paper to multiple peer-reviewed journals at the same time is not allowed, and doing so may impact its publication at any peer-reviewed journal. If your work is not accepted at one journal, however, then you are free to submit that work to your next choice and so on. Therefore, it is best to submit to journals with a strategy in mind. Consider: what journal do I ideally want to be published in? What are some back-ups if I don’t get published in my ideal journal? Preprints, like arXiv and the Research Archive of Rising Scholars, are possible places to submit your work in advance of seeking peer-reviewed publication. These are places to “stake your claim” in a research area and get feedback from the community prior to submitting your paper to its final home in a peer-reviewed journal. You can submit your work to a preprint prior to submitting at a peer-reviewed journal.

Reputable Journals and Conferences for High School Students

Here are some of the favorite journals and conferences, divided by prestige and reliability, based on experience with helping students showcase their research.

Most Prestigious Journals

Concord Review
The Concord Review stands as a beacon for high school historians and social scientists, providing a prestigious platform for the publication of outstanding research papers. Cost: $70 to Submit and $200 Publication Cost (if accepted). Deadline: Fixed Deadlines in Feb 1 (Summer Issue), May 1 (Fall), August 1 (Winter), and November 1 (Spring). Subject area: History / Social Sciences. Type of research: All types of academic articles. The Concord Review is a quarterly journal that publishes exceptional essays written by high school students on historical topics. The journal has been around since 1987 and has a great reputation, with many student winners going to great universities. Further, if your paper is published, your essays will be sent to subscribers and teachers all around the world, which is an incredible achievement. Papers submitted tend to be around 8,000 words, so there is definitely a lot of writing involved, and the Concord Review themselves say that they are very selective, publishing only about 5% of the essays they receive.
Journal of Emerging Investigators (JEI)
With a focus on STEM fields, the Journal of Emerging Investigators (JEI) offers high school students a unique opportunity to share their scientific discoveries and innovations with a global audience. Cost: Free. Deadline: Rolling. Subject area: STEM. Type of research: Original hypothesis-driven scientific research. JEI is an open-access publication that features scientific research papers written by middle and high school students in the fields of biological and physical sciences. The journal includes a comprehensive peer-review process, where graduate students and other professional scientists with advanced degrees will review the manuscripts and provide suggestions to improve both the project and manuscript itself. You can expect to receive feedback in 6-8 weeks. This should be the go-to option for students that are doing hypothesis-driven, original research or research that involves original analyses of existing data (meta-analysis, analyzing publicly available datasets, etc.). This is not an appropriate fit for students writing literature reviews. Finally, a mentor or parent must submit on behalf of the student.
STEM Fellowship Journal (SFJ)

Read also: Eligibility for National Awards

Cost: $400 publication fee. Deadline: Rolling. Subject area: All Scientific Disciplines. Type of research: Conference Proceedings, Review Articles, Viewpoint Articles, Original Research. SFJ is a peer-reviewed journal published by Canadian Science Publishing that serves as a platform for scholarly research conducted by high school and university students in the STEM fields. Peer review is conducted by undergraduate, graduate student, and professional reviewers. Depending on the kind of research article you choose to submit, SFJ provides very specific guidelines on what to include and word limits.
National High School Journal of Science (NHSJS)
Cost: $250 for publication. Deadline: Rolling. Subject area: All science disciplines. Type of research: Original research, literature review. NHSJS is a journal peer reviewed by high schoolers from around the world, with an advisory board of adult academics. Topics are STEM related, and submission types can vary from original research papers to shorter articles.
Curieux Academic Journal
Cost: $185-215. Deadline: Rolling. Subject area: Engineering, Humanities, and Natural Science, Mathematics, and Social Science. Type of research: Including but not limited to research papers, review articles, and humanity/social science pieces. Curieux Academic Journal is a non-profit run by students and was founded in 2017 to publish outstanding research by high school and middle school students. Curieux publishes one issue per month (twelve per year), so there are many opportunities to get your research published.
The Young Scientists Journal
Cost: Free. Deadline: December. Subject area: Sciences. Type of research: Original research, literature review, blog post. The Young Scientists Journal, while a popular option for students previously, has paused submissions to process a backlog. The journal is an international peer-reviewed journal run by students, and creates print issues twice a year. The journal has also been around for a decade and has a clear track record of producing alumni who go on to work in STEM.
Journal of Research High School (JRHS)
Cost: $100. Deadline: Rolling. Subject area: Any academic subject including the sciences and humanities. Type of research: Original research and significant literature reviews. JRHS is an online research journal edited by volunteer professional scientists, researchers, teachers, and professors. JRHS accepts original research and significant literature reviews in Engineering, Humanities, Natural Science, Math, and Social Sciences. From our experience working with our students to help publish their research, this journal is currently operating with a 15-20 week turnaround time for review. This is a bit on the longer side, so be mindful of this turnaround time if you’re looking to get your work published soon.
Youth Medical Journal
Cost: Free. Deadline: March (currently closed). Subject area: Medical or scientific topics. Type of research: Original research, review article, blog post, magazine article. The Youth Medical Journal is an international, student-run team of 40 students looking to share medical research. This journal is a good entry point for students new to research papers, but when submissions are busy, in the past they have paused submissions.
Journal of High School Science (JHSS)
Cost: Free. Deadline: Rolling. Subject area: All topics. Type of research: Original research, literature review, technical notes, opinion pieces. This peer-reviewed STEAM journal publishes quarterly, with advanced degree doctors who sit on the journal’s editorial board. The journal is run out of a high school with a teacher supervisor and student staff. The journal also accepts podcast submissions.
The Schola
Cost: $180 submission fee. Deadline: Rolling. Subject area: Humanities. Type of research: Essay submission. The Schola is a peer-reviewed quarterly journal that showcases essays on various humanities and social sciences topics authored by high school students worldwide. They feature a diverse range of subjects such as philosophy, history, art history, English, economics, public policy, and sociology. Editors at Schola are academics who teach and do research in the humanities and social sciences
Critical Debates in Humanities, Science and Global Justice
Cost: $10 author fee. Deadline: Rolling. Subject area: Ethics and frontiers of science, Biology and ecosystems, Technology and Innovation, Medical research and disease, Peace and civil society, Global citizenship, identity and democracy, Structural violence and society, Psychology, Education, AI, Sociology, Computer Science, Neuroscience, Cultural politics, Politics and Justice, Computer science and math as related to policy, Public policy, Human rights, Language, Identity and Culture, Art and activism. Critical Debates is an international academic journal for critical discourse in humanities, science and contemporary global issues for emerging young scholars
International Youth Neuroscience Association Journal
Cost: Free. Deadline: Rolling. Subject area: Neuroscience. Type of research: Research papers. Although this student peer-reviewed journal is not currently accepting submissions, we’ve had students recently publish here.
arXiv
Cost: Free. Deadline: Rolling. Subject area: STEM, Quantitative Finance, Economics. Type of research: Research papers. arXiv is an open access archive supported by Cornell University, where more than 2 million scholarly articles in a wide variety of topics have been compiled. arXiv articles are not peer-reviewed, so you will not receive any feedback on your work from experts. However, your article does go through a moderation process where your work is classified into a topic area and checked for scholarly value.
bioRxiv
Cost: Free. Deadline: Rolling. Subject area: Biology. Type of research: Original research. bioRxiv is a preprint server for biology research, where again the research is not peer-reviewed but undergoes a check to make sure that the material is relevant and appropriate. bioRxiv has a bit of a longer posting time, taking around 48 hours, but that’s still very quick. bioRxiv also allows for you to submit revised versions of your research if you decide to make changes.
Research Archive of Rising Scholars (RARS)
Cost: Free. Deadline: Rolling. Subject area: STEM and Humanities. Type of research: Original research, review articles, poems, short stories, scripts. Research Archive of Rising Scholars is Polygence’s own preprint server! It is a repository for articles and other creative submissions in STEM and the Humanities.
The American Journal of Student Research
The American Journal of Student Research (ISSN: 2996-2218) is an online, open-access academic journal that features rigorously reviewed research by high school and undergraduate students. The journal publishes original research and review articles in multiple fields including biology, chemistry, mathematics, physics, computer science, engineering, business, politics and social sciences etc. The American Journal of Student Research is one of few journals that provides Digital Object Identifier(DOI) for all articles published by high school and undergraduate students. It is our mission to inspire and support the next generation of researchers in all fields by evaluating, guiding and publishing their works through this open-access journal. We maintain high standards for publication through PhD-level reviewers and experienced editorial board members. The American Journal of student Research provides a valuable platform for both high school and undergraduate students from around the world to publish their work. This journal uses a double-blind review, which means that both the reviewer and author identities are concealed from the reviewers, and vice versa, throughout the review process.

Other Journals to Consider

Teen Ink: Offers a creative outlet for high school students to express themselves through writing and artwork.
The High School Journal: Published by the University of North Carolina Press, focuses on educational issues.
Youth Voices: A digital platform to explore social justice issues, activism, and personal narratives.
Lexington Review: Offers a platform for literary analysis, criticism, and creative expression.
Journal of Youth Development: Focuses on youth development and psychology.
International Journal of Student Research in Archaeology (IJSRA): For students interested in archaeology and anthropology.
The Apprentice Writer: Showcases creative writing talents, published by Susquehanna University Writers Institute.
Open Journal of Business and Management (OJBM): An international journal dedicated to business and management studies.
Walt Whitman Journal of Psychology: A fantastic option for Psychology students.
International Journal of High School Research (IJHSR): Publishes high school student research in behavioral and social sciences, technology, engineering, and math, both original research and literature review articles.

Why Publish Research in High School?

Publishing research as a high school student offers numerous benefits and opportunities for academic and personal growth. While the idea of scholarly publication may seem daunting to some, especially at a young age, the advantages of sharing your work with a broader audience are significant.

Validation and Recognition: Publishing research provides validation for your academic efforts and achievements. It offers tangible recognition of your hard work, dedication, and intellectual abilities. Seeing your name in print alongside your research can be incredibly rewarding and can boost your confidence in your academic abilities.
Contribution to Knowledge: By publishing your research, you contribute to the body of knowledge in your chosen field or discipline. Your findings and insights can potentially influence and inform future research and scholarship. Even as a high school student, your perspectives and discoveries have the potential to make meaningful contributions to your field of study.
Skill Development: Engaging in the process of preparing a research manuscript for publication helps you develop essential academic and professional skills. Writing a research paper requires critical thinking, analytical reasoning, and effective communication skills. Additionally, navigating the peer-review process teaches you how to incorporate feedback, revise your work, and adhere to scholarly standards.
College and Career Opportunities: Publishing research as a high school student can enhance your college applications and attract the attention of admissions officers. It demonstrates your intellectual curiosity, initiative, and commitment to academic excellence, setting you apart from other applicants. Furthermore, having publications on your resume can open doors to scholarship opportunities, internships, and research positions in college and beyond.
Networking and Collaboration: Publishing research exposes you to a wider network of scholars, researchers, and professionals in your field. It provides opportunities for collaboration and mentorship, allowing you to connect with experts who can offer guidance, support, and advice as you continue your academic journey.
Personal Growth and Fulfillment: Finally, publishing research as a high school student is a deeply fulfilling experience that can foster personal growth and intellectual curiosity. It allows you to explore topics of interest in depth, pursue your passions, and develop a sense of agency and autonomy in your academic pursuits. Moreover, seeing your work published can instill a sense of pride and accomplishment that motivates you to continue pursuing your academic goals.

What to Look for in a High School Research Journal

Deciding what journal works best for you can be confusing if you are new to academic publishing. Here is a brief overview of three factors you should consider when deciding which journals to submit to:

Prestige: For many students, prestige is the most important factor when deciding where to submit their research. However, an important thing to keep in mind is that prestigious journals seek the highest quality research. These publications tend to be very competitive, so it's a good idea to get an external opinion on whether you should submit to these, if possible.
Nature of Research: The nature of research is another important parameter to be aware of. One of the first things that we ask our Publication Program students is about the nature of research and whether they are conducting original research or a literature review. Based on the answer, our recommendation can vary since some journals do not accept literature reviews.
Time to Publication: The time taken to get published is another important metric that students should keep in mind.

tags: #high #school #student #academic #journals