Skip to main content
Joint Research Management Office

Breadcrumb

  1. JRMO
  2. Performing research
  3. Research Integrity
  4. Avoiding predatory journals

How to avoid predatory journals: Think, check, submit

What are predatory journals?

Predatory journals might, superficially, seem plausible and legitimate. They take money from researchers to publish their work online without due concern for peer review or quality. 

Some predatory journals may use titles that are similar to established publications.  However, there are often tell-tale signs such as repeated emails emphasising rapid publication, contradictory statements on their website, no retraction policy and the absence of a Creative Commons license for Open Access articles. 

Who do they target and how? 

Academic researchers, of all levels of experience and seniority, can be successfully targeted by predatory journals.  Often, they are made a tempting offer, by a predatory journal, such as a fee waiver or even free publication.  The real costs only become apparent later.  Once a manuscript has been published online, perhaps with errors and without peer review, researchers and universities are in a weak legal position to insist on its removal. 

What to check for

It is important for authors to check the quality and standards of a publication before submitting a manuscript.  Apply the principle of ‘think, check, submit’.  This is particularly important if a journal is not already known to you and your colleagues.

Ask yourself the following questions about the journal:  

  • Do they provide clear and upfront information about their fees?
  • Are the publisher’s contact details fully and easily available on their website?
  • Are the editorial board of the journal well-known researchers in their field?
  • Is the journal clear about its peer review process?
  • Do they publish clear information about their approaches to copyright, licences and other procedures? These are the hallmarks of reputable journals.
  • Is the journal/publisher a member of COPE?

Other online resources about predatory publishing

 

Back to top