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Reasons for retractions in potential predatory journals
Shaoxiong Brian Xu1,2, Guangwei Hu2
1School of Foreign Studies, Huanggang Normal University, Huanggang, China.
Accountability in Research
|May 12, 2026
Summary
Retractions in potential predatory journals (PPJs) are often due to authors retracting to publish elsewhere. Institutional investigations also contribute to PPJ retractions, highlighting research integrity concerns.
Area of Science:
- Scholarly publishing
- Research integrity
- Bibliometrics
Background:
- Predatory publishing is a growing concern.
- Retraction reasons in potential predatory journals (PPJs) are underexplored.
Purpose of the Study:
- To identify and categorize reasons for retractions in PPJs.
- To analyze the distribution of retraction reasons across disciplines and countries.
Main Methods:
- Utilized Beall's List and the Retraction Watch Database.
- Analyzed 717 retractions from PPJs.
- Categorized reasons into direct (author-related, journal-related, third-party) and indirect (institutional investigations).
Main Results:
- Identified 16 direct and 3 indirect retraction reasons.
- Retracting to publish elsewhere accounted for 60.1% of PPJ retractions.
- Author-related reasons dominated, including content issues and broader integrity breaches.
- Natural Sciences had all direct reasons; Humanities/Social Sciences had fewer.
- Seven Asian countries accounted for 72.2% of retractions.
Conclusions:
- Retractions in PPJs stem from diverse issues, predominantly author misconduct and strategic retractions.
- Disciplinary and geographic factors influence retraction reasons.
- Further research is needed to address predatory publishing and uphold research integrity.
Keywords:
Beall’s ListCommittee on Publication EthicsRetraction Watch Databasepotential predatory journalretraction reasonMore Related Videos
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