Scholarly Publishing

The phrase "PREDATORY PUBLISHERS" is a label applied to open access publishers that "prey" on researchers that need to publish to maintain their academic status. Typically the predatory publisher uses email flattery, promises of rapid reviewing and acceptance, promises of "discount" author fees, offers editorial positions, and the simplicity of paying immediately with a credit card. In fact, the predatory publisher typically performs no peer review and is trying to maximize the cash payments from authors under time and institutional pressure to publish. These publishers often approach scholars through frequent email (SPAM) inviting submissions without mentioning publishing fees.  Predatory publishers are also characterized by the following deceptive practices:

• Journal titles similar to respected journals
• Fake editorial boards--these may be real researchers whose names are used without their knowledge.
• Editorial boards that are identical across all of a publishers titles.
• Fees to withdraw an article.
• Fake impact or H-factors (you must verify any impact factor claims with the true source)

Note: The presence of an author processing charge does not mean the journal is predatory. The open access publishing model uses article processing contributions in the business model, since there is no subscription income. There are also credible organizations that do not charge processing fees and fund their own costs.

Not certain?

• Use ThinkCheckSubmit's check list to evaluate journals.
• Ask a librarian to verify any of the claims or documentation provided by an email invitation.
• Check the publishers website for clear information about publishing fees and their peer review process.
• Check an independent source for the impact factor of the journal.
• Look at the editorial board, does the list include the full affiliation, do the members of the board mention it on their LinkedIn biography?
• Check to see if the publisher is a member of a respected industry organization such as the Directory of Open Access Journals or the Open Access Publishers Association

source: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Research_cycle.png (CC BY 2.0)