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Predatory Journals: What They Are and How to Avoid Them
Susan A Elmore1, Eleanor H Weston2
1National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, Cellular and Molecular Pathology Branch, Research Triangle Park, NC, USA.
Toxicologic Pathology
|April 23, 2020
Summary
Predatory journals deceive researchers by misrepresenting publishing practices like peer review and fees. This guide helps authors identify and avoid these fraudulent publications to protect scholarly integrity.
Area of Science:
- Scholarly publishing ethics
- Research integrity
Background:
- Predatory journals falsely present themselves as legitimate scholarly publications.
- Deceptive practices include misrepresenting peer review, article processing charges, and editorial boards.
Purpose of the Study:
- To provide authors with information on identifying predatory journals.
- To guide researchers in avoiding fraudulent publication venues.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of common predatory publishing characteristics.
- Review of ethical guidelines in scholarly communication.
Main Results:
- Predatory journals often violate copyright and scholarly ethics.
- Key indicators include hidden fees and false claims of peer review.
Conclusions:
- Authors must be vigilant to distinguish legitimate journals from predatory ones.
- Awareness of deceptive practices is crucial for maintaining research credibility.
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