def METHOD_NAME(obj, formdata):
    if formdata.get('type_of_doc') == 'book' or formdata.get('type_of_doc') == 'chapter':
        result = check_journal_existence(formdata.get('series_title'))
        if result.rowcount > 0:
            formdata['journal_title'] = _normalize_journal_title(formdata.get('series_title'))
    else:
        formdata['journal_title'] = _normalize_journal_title(formdata['journal_title'])
    return formdata