Publishing into journals as an independent undergraduate researcher

Question

I'm an undergraduate student looking to publish 2 papers in materials physics on novel research. I've lead the project on my own as an independent research, but have worked with the departments and faculty to gain access to several of my universities labs to conduct the research. I have no clear supervisor or adviser for the project though, and have a few questions regarding the submission of papers to journals as an undergraduate.

1. Would I be discriminated against due to the lack of qualifications

2. Is it appropriate for an undergraduate student to submit a manuscript to a journal.

3. What journals have low to no cost for manuscripts, the project is self funded and I doubt I'll be able to financially support the extraordinary fees I've seen from some journals.

I understand the paper can be posted on ArXiv or ResearchGate, but that nullifies the legitimacy of it being called a publication. The professors I've spoken to have suggested the paper could be submitted to well ranked journals, and wish to have it published in a well respected journal. Frankly I'm just unsure how I should approach submitting my manuscripts as an undergraduate.

Answer 1

Editors don't normally look at your "qualifications" when evaluating a paper. It is actually unprofessional. The work should stand on its own.

You don't need degrees, or specifically advanced degrees to submit. Again, the work...

The costs are a different matter. I can't know the policies of all journals, but for some, at least (I hope it is still true), the following applies. First try to charge the funding agency of the research. Second, to charge the submitter's institution if available. Third (maybe second), charge the submitter. Fourth, if no one pays, absorb the costs internally.

I'm especially not certain of the fourth point, but it used to be true for some reputable journals.

My advice would be to submit the paper to the most appropriate journal, ignoring costs. But also ask your department if, in the eventuality that it is accepted, they would pay. If they say no, submit anyway.

Deal with the issue of getting a personal bill only when it arrives. Possibly just by saying it is impossible for you to absorb the cost as an unsponsored researcher. If they then refuse to publish it, you have at least benefitted from some review of your ideas.

Journals normally expect that researchers have some funding and that the funding includes covering page fees for the resulting research. Funding agencies benefit from being mentioned in the papers produced. But that doesn't apply to you and journals may still be able to make exceptions "for the greater good."

Answer 2

1) No, not specifically because you are an undergrad. Often peer-review is conducted on anonymized papers. Your lack of experience might play against you but you should by all means try.

2) Yes it happens, although usually it is with support from more established researchers.

3) It's a pity that thanks to the "open access" hype, people now wonder how they can afford to publish papers. Just pick a subscription-based journal that will publish at no cost to you.

Answer 3

With regard to the cost issue, you should probably research what precisely those fees you mention are charged for. At least for the fields I publish in, many if not most reputable journals have a path to publish at zero cost to the authors, providing you:

1. Don't want colour plates in the paper version of your article
2. Keep the submission below a certain length
3. Accept very bad terms regarding open access (i.e never, or with a very long embargo)
4. Don't use any of the optional, fee-driven methods to increase exposure.

Number 3 in particular is an example of an airline style method of charging. Public funding bodies tend to demand open access on publications, but then provide the money to pay the publishers to allow it.