[Beware of predatory journals]

Predatory journals exploit researchers' desire for a fast review process and quick publication; this is achieved at the expense of proper scientific review and high publication costs for the authors. During the last decade, international consensus on what characterises predatory journals and publishers has emerged. The proportion of health sciences articles published in predatory journals is around 2 per cent, considerably lower than in other life sciences and social sciences.  In health sciences, China has the highest proportion of articles published in predatory journals. The phenomenon is widespread both in terms of health disciplines and geography; there are examples of Swedish health science being infiltrated. In The European Code of Conduct for Research Integrity, supporting predatory journals is characterised as an unacceptable practice. There are now tools to be used by researchers who want to avoid publishing in predatory journals.