Choosing a Journal for Your Registered Report

Registered reports are a preregistration format where you submit a study protocol for peer review before data collection, reducing publication bias. Many journals across disciplines accept them, often through platforms like the Center for Open Science (COS). Here's a step-by-step guide to selecting one, followed by recommendations.

Step 1: Identify Your Field and Scope

• Define your discipline: Registered reports are common in psychology, neuroscience, medicine, social sciences, and increasingly in ecology, economics, and humanities. Narrow this down (e.g., clinical psychology vs. cognitive neuroscience) to filter options.


• Check your study's fit: Ensure it aligns with the journal's scope. For example, broad journals suit interdisciplinary work, while specialized ones fit niche topics.


• Consider impact and audience: Aim for journals with your desired readership, but prioritize those committed to open science over high-impact alone.

Step 2: Search for Accepting Journals

• Use directories:


• Registry of Open Science Journals: Go to cos.io (Center for Open Science) and search their list of over 500 journals accepting registered reports. Filter by field (e.g., psychology has 100+ options).


• Open Science Framework (OSF): Search "registered reports" on osf.io for community-curated lists.


• PubMed or Google Scholar: Search "registered report [your topic]" to see where similar studies publish.


• Key criteria to evaluate:


• Acceptance stage: Most review Stage 1 (protocol) before data collection; some require Stage 2 (results) submission later.


• Fees and timelines: Check APCs (article processing charges) for open-access journals; review times vary (e.g., 1-3 months for Stage 1).


• Policies: Look for in-principle acceptance (IPA) to lock in publication if methods are followed.


• Recent examples: Verify they’ve published registered reports in the last 2 years to ensure active support.

Step 3: Recommended Journals by Field

Here are vetted examples from reputable sources like COS (updated as of 2023; always check journal websites for changes). Start with these and expand via searches.

• Psychology/Behavioral Sciences:


• Psychological Science (SAGE): High-impact, broad scope. Accepts across subfields; strong open science emphasis.


• Journal of Experimental Psychology: General (APA): Focuses on fundamental research; IPA common.


• Registered Reports at Collabra: Psychology (UC Press): Dedicated section, open access, low/no fees.


• Neuroscience/Cognitive Science:


• eNeuro (SfN): Free to publish, neuroscience-focused, supports preregistration.


• NeuroImage (Elsevier): Accepts registered reports for imaging studies; hybrid open access.


• Medicine/Clinical Research:


• Trials (BMC): Dedicated to trial protocols; open access, no APC for registered reports in some cases.


• PLOS Medicine (PLOS): Broad health sciences; emphasizes transparency.


• BMJ Open (BMJ): Protocol-focused, with a registered report pathway.


• Social Sciences/Economics:


• Journal of the European Economic Association (Oxford): Economics-specific.


• AEA Papers and Proceedings (American Economic Association): For economic experiments.


• Interdisciplinary/Other:


• Royal Society Open Science: Broad, including biology and ecology; fully open access.


• Comprehensive Results in Social Psychology: Psychology and social sciences, low barriers.

Step 4: Next Steps for Submission

• Review the journal's author guidelines (e.g., under "registered reports" section) for template requirements like hypothesis, analysis plan, and power analysis.


• Prepare your Stage 1 manuscript: Include detailed methods to enable replication.


• If unsure, email the editor with a brief abstract to gauge fit.


• Track progress on OSF for badges and sharing.

This format boosts credibility and reproducibility. If you share your field or topic, I can refine suggestions!