{"id":102,"date":"2020-11-18T19:31:31","date_gmt":"2020-11-18T17:31:31","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blogs.uef.fi\/ueflibrary-bors\/?page_id=102"},"modified":"2024-08-06T08:20:52","modified_gmt":"2024-08-06T05:20:52","slug":"predatory-journals","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/blogs.uef.fi\/ueflibrary-bors\/open-access-publishing\/predatory-journals\/","title":{"rendered":"Predatory journals"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

What is predatory publishing?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Predatory publishing<\/strong>, sometimes called write-only publishing<\/strong> or deceptive publishing<\/strong>, is an exploitive academic publishing business model that involves charging publication fees to authors without checking articles for quality and legitimacy and without providing the other editorial and publishing services that legitimate academic journals provide, whether open access or not. They are regarded as predatory because scholars are tricked into publishing with them, although some authors may be aware that the journal is poor quality or even fraudulent.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In addition, many sham publishers have expanded their business to predatory conferences<\/strong>. Predatory conferences may appear at first glance scientifically credible, but usually more thorough investigation reveals the problems associated with them. They are organised by companies rather than scientific societies; they charge hefty participation fees from the participants, and the number of participants and the scientific quality of presentations is low.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

New scholars from developing countries are said to be especially at risk of being misled by predatory publishers (Kearney, 2015; Xia et al., 2015). According to one study, 60% of articles published in predatory journals receive no citations over the five-year period following publication (Bj\u00f6rk et al., 2020; Brainard, 2020). Read more about Predatory publishing<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The definition<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Leading scholars and publishers from ten countries have agreed a definition of predatory publishing that can protect scholarship. It took 12 hours of discussion, 18 questions and 3 rounds to reach. […]<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The consensus definition reached was: \u201cPredatory journals and publishers are entities that prioritize self-interest at the expense of scholarship and are characterized by false or misleading information, deviation from best editorial and publication practices, a lack of transparency, and\/or the use of aggressive and indiscriminate solicitation practices.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Grudniewicz et al. (2019). Predatory journals: No definition, no defence<\/a>. Nature (London), 576(7786), 210\u2013212.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How to deal with predatory publishers?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

When choosing a publishing channel, beware of these dishonest predatory OA publishers. Such journal titles have been gathered on the\u00a0Beall\u2019s List <\/a>(last updated: 2016), which, however, is no longer being updated. The list contains potential or plausible scientifically questionable OA journals that often neglect peer-reviewing and mainly aim to cash in from scientists.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

At UEF,\u00a0Cabells Predatory Reports<\/strong><\/a> can be used for checking potential predatory journals.\u00a0If you are not UEF staff or student, check your own institution\u2019s\u00a0library for access.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Read UEF Library\u2019s blog post: Beware of predators!<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Visit Think Check Submit<\/a> (Fig. 8) where you will find tips about how to publish in a suitable journal and how to avoid predatory journals. To avoid predatory conferences, please visit Think Check Attend<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Think.
Fig. 8. \u2018Think. Check. Submit\u2019 checklist helps you to assess reliable journals. CC BY Think. Check. Submit. via Wikimedia Commons.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Are you still thinking that there is no problem with predators? Check the following assertions:<\/p>\n\n\n\n