journal-skills
Recommends target journals for manuscript submission by analyzing the paper topic/abstract and the journal distribution of similar PubMed literature; use when users ask for journal recommendation/matching, submission strategy, PubMed search, or similar-literature statistics.
Best use case
journal-skills is best used when you need a repeatable AI agent workflow instead of a one-off prompt.
Recommends target journals for manuscript submission by analyzing the paper topic/abstract and the journal distribution of similar PubMed literature; use when users ask for journal recommendation/matching, submission strategy, PubMed search, or similar-literature statistics.
Teams using journal-skills should expect a more consistent output, faster repeated execution, less prompt rewriting.
When to use this skill
- You want a reusable workflow that can be run more than once with consistent structure.
When not to use this skill
- You only need a quick one-off answer and do not need a reusable workflow.
- You cannot install or maintain the underlying files, dependencies, or repository context.
Installation
Claude Code / Cursor / Codex
Manual Installation
- Download SKILL.md from GitHub
- Place it in
.claude/skills/journal-skills/SKILL.mdinside your project - Restart your AI agent — it will auto-discover the skill
How journal-skills Compares
| Feature / Agent | journal-skills | Standard Approach |
|---|---|---|
| Platform Support | Not specified | Limited / Varies |
| Context Awareness | High | Baseline |
| Installation Complexity | Unknown | N/A |
Frequently Asked Questions
What does this skill do?
Recommends target journals for manuscript submission by analyzing the paper topic/abstract and the journal distribution of similar PubMed literature; use when users ask for journal recommendation/matching, submission strategy, PubMed search, or similar-literature statistics.
Where can I find the source code?
You can find the source code on GitHub using the link provided at the top of the page.
SKILL.md Source
> **Source**: [https://github.com/aipoch/medical-research-skills](https://github.com/aipoch/medical-research-skills)
## When to Use
- You have a manuscript title/abstract and need a shortlist of suitable journals to submit to.
- You want evidence-based journal matching using **similar PubMed literature** and journal distribution statistics.
- You need to compare candidate journals by **scope fit**, **open access requirements**, and **review/publication timelines**.
- You must provide a clear **matching rationale** (why each journal fits) for internal review or co-author alignment.
- You are planning a **submission strategy** (primary target + backups) and want to highlight risks and alternatives.
## Key Features
- Topic- and abstract-driven journal recommendation workflow.
- PubMed-based similar literature search and **journal frequency distribution** compilation.
- Candidate journal screening using scope, policy constraints (e.g., OA), and practical considerations (e.g., review cycle).
- Structured recommendation output with rationale, risks, and backup options.
- Reusable CSV template for consistent reporting.
## Dependencies
- Python 3.9+ (recommended)
- PubMed E-utilities access (NCBI)
- `EMAIL` required (per NCBI policy)
- `API_KEY` optional (recommended for higher rate limits)
## Example Usage
### 1) Prepare inputs
Have the manuscript **title** and **abstract** ready.
### 2) Configure the script
Open `scripts/pubmed_journal_recommender.py` and set the `CONFIG` values:
- `EMAIL`: your email (required)
- `API_KEY`: your NCBI API key (optional)
- Output directory (if the script supports/requests it)
### 3) Run the recommender
```bash
python scripts/pubmed_journal_recommender.py
```
When prompted, paste the manuscript title and abstract. The script will query PubMed for similar records and produce journal statistics.
### 4) Produce a structured recommendation table
Use the template below to standardize the final output:
- Template: `assets/journal_recommendation_template.csv`
Fill it with:
- Candidate journals (from the script’s distribution + domain knowledge)
- Matching rationale (scope fit + audience + similarity evidence)
- Constraints (OA, policies)
- Practical notes (review cycle, risks)
- Primary target and backup options
### 5) Follow the checklist and formatting guidance
For recommended output formats, checklists, and key points, see:
- `references/guide.md`
## Implementation Details
### Workflow Overview
1. **Topic and Scope Definition**
- Identify the research field, subfield, and intended readership.
- Confirm journal type preferences and constraints (e.g., OA mandates).
2. **Similar Literature Analysis (PubMed)**
- Use the manuscript title/abstract to retrieve similar PubMed records.
- Aggregate results by **journal** to compute a distribution (e.g., counts per journal).
- Prioritize journals that appear frequently among highly relevant records.
3. **Journal Screening**
- Cross-check each candidate against:
- Journal scope/aims
- Policy requirements (OA, data availability, ethics)
- Review/publication timelines (if available)
- Remove journals that are out-of-scope or non-compliant.
4. **Recommendation Output**
- Provide a ranked list with:
- Fit rationale (topic alignment + similarity evidence)
- Risks (scope mismatch, policy conflicts, timeline concerns)
- Alternatives (backup journals)
### Key Parameters / Notes
- **NCBI `EMAIL`**: required to comply with NCBI E-utilities usage policy.
- **NCBI `API_KEY`**: optional but recommended to reduce throttling and improve throughput.
- **Output structuring**: use `assets/journal_recommendation_template.csv` to ensure consistent fields and downstream usability.Related Skills
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