Awareness and Identification of Predatory Journals

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A Peculiar Situation
  • A review article developed based on pivotal randomized studies
  • Couple of journals rejected the article
  • Authors decided to target low impact factor journal

    Within 24 hours of submission:

  • Journal sent few editorial comments
  • Requested quick payment of article processing fees (APCs) to include article in current issue
  • Journal repeatedly followed up daily for payment
  • Authors became suspicious and decided to withdraw manuscript
  • Journal refused to withdraw; offered some discount on APC
  • Provided metrics/claims for the publications
  • Authors found that the claims were false and misleading
  • Client consulted us at this stage. We further analyzed, checked Beall's list and found it's a predatory journal
Symptoms
1Journal title similar to reputable journals
2Provide false/misleading information
3Willing to publish article with a small fee
4No transparency on peer-review processes
5Promise of fast peer-review and publication
Warning Signs
  • 1Lack an ISSN or use the one assigned to other journals
  • 2Poor language usage and low production quality
  • 3Vague journal scope, quick peer-review processes
  • 4Hidden publication charges notified post submission
  • 5Erratic publication schedule
  • 6Inadequate information on copyright, licensing, and publication ethics
  • 7Missing ownership and/or management details
  • 8Missing editorial team/contact information
    Realize
  • Education on warning signs
  • Regularly update whitelist/safelist journals
  • Check quality from journal's published articles
  • Check if journals follows COPE/DOAJ/OASPA/WAME
    Act
  • Identify trustworthy journals from 'Think.Check.Submit.'
  • Reality check for journal details
  • Don't pay hidden author fees
  • Use DNS Checker for suspected spam.
    Guidance
  • Beall's list of Potential Predatory Journals and Publishers
  • Cabell's blacklist:https://www2.cabells.com
  • Think.Check.Submit