Many researchers have received unexpected emails inviting them to submit papers to unfamiliar academic journals. While some of these invitations may be legitimate, such as those for special issues or similar circumstances, many of these solicitations come from predatory journals.
Predatory journals are deceptive publishing outlets that charge authors high fees without providing proper peer review, editorial oversight, or indexing in recognized databases. These journals often target early-career researchers and scholars who are non-native English speakers. These journals know that English-language publications are important for emerging scholars, and they look to exploit these scholars’ aspirations to get reputable, English-language publications on their CV.
However, publishing with such journals can harm a researcher’s reputation, reduce the visibility of their work, and negatively impact future academic opportunities. This article outlines six common warning signs to help researchers identify and avoid predatory journals.
1. Hidden or Unclear Article Processing Charges (APCs)
Reputable open-access journals typically display article processing charges (APCs) clearly on their websites. These fees are listed before submission and are easy to locate in the author guidelines. They are also often (although not always) reasonably priced.
In contrast, predatory journals often hide these charges until after a manuscript is accepted. In some cases, they request payment even if the article is rejected. Some authors have reported being pressured to pay large fees without receiving proper peer review or publication services.
It is not uncommon for predatory journals to charge APCs exceeding $1,000, which is less typical among reputable journals.
Always verify that APCs are listed clearly and transparently before submitting your manuscript. Be cautious if this information is unavailable or difficult to find.
2. Unsolicited Emails from Journal Staff
It is uncommon for respected academic journals to send unsolicited emails to researchers—particularly messages that include exaggerated praise or vague references to the recipient’s work. Predatory journals, by contrast, often send mass emails inviting submissions, promising rapid publication, or offering editorial board positions without a transparent selection process. These invitations are frequently unrelated to the recipient’s actual field of research.
For example, despite having no background in the physical sciences, I have received multiple invitations to publish in journals focused on physics or chemistry. Such mismatches are a clear warning sign of low editorial standards and a likely indication of a predatory journal.
Some researchers have created fake academic profiles to test how journals respond. In many cases, predatory journals accepted applications from individuals with no qualifications or experience, demonstrating a lack of editorial standards.
If you receive an unexpected invitation to publish or join a journal’s board, take time to investigate the journal before responding.
3. Journal Title Resembles a Well-Known Publication
Predatory journals often choose names that sound similar to respected journals to create the appearance of credibility. They may include terms such as “International,” “Global,” “Advanced,” or “Scientific” to appear more authoritative.
For example, a journal may closely resemble the name of an established publication, but it may have no affiliation with it. The name of the journal may also sound legitimate, but it is in fact predatory. These similarities can confuse authors and readers, especially if the predatory journal copies design elements from reputable websites.
To confirm the legitimacy of a journal, always check its website, editorial board, publisher, and indexing status.
4. No Transparent Editorial Board
A legitimate academic journal provides the names, institutional affiliations, and contact details of its editorial board members. This level of transparency allows researchers to assess whether the journal is managed by qualified experts in the relevant field.
Predatory journals may omit this information, list unqualified individuals, or include names without the individuals’ knowledge or consent. In some cases, the same editorial board appears across multiple unrelated journals managed by the same publisher. Even when board members are real people—such as faculty members or medical professionals—they may not have appropriate expertise in the subject matter. Some may be compensated for their involvement, while others may participate for personal reasons, such as career advancement or local prestige.
To verify an editorial board’s legitimacy, researchers can review members’ institutional profiles or contact them directly. A lack of transparency, unverifiable credentials, or questionable editorial participation are strong indicators that the journal may be predatory.
5. Unrealistic Peer Review and Publication Timelines
Peer review is a critical part of the academic publishing process. It typically takes several weeks or even months for reviewers to evaluate a manuscript, provide feedback, and recommend revisions.
Predatory journals often claim to offer peer review but accept manuscripts within a few days or even hours. Some accept articles with no feedback or revisions, suggesting that no real review process has taken place.
Before submitting your work, review the journal’s stated peer review process and check whether published articles show evidence of careful review. Rapid acceptance without detailed review should raise concerns.
6. False Claims About Indexing
Many predatory journals state that they are indexed in respected databases such as Scopus, Web of Science, or PubMed. However, these claims are often false or misleading.
Instead of being indexed in reputable databases, some predatory journals list inclusion in unrelated platforms that do not verify academic quality. Others display logos or names of indexing services without proper authorization.
You can check the indexing status of a journal by visiting the official websites of the relevant databases. If the journal does not appear in their lists, it is likely not indexed there.
Additional Considerations
Researchers can also look for other indicators of low-quality or predatory journals:
- Website Quality: Many predatory journals have poorly designed websites, with grammatical errors, missing information, or broken links.
- Scope of Topics: If the journal covers a very wide range of unrelated disciplines, it may lack academic focus.
- Contact Information: Reputable journals usually provide institutional email addresses and verifiable contact information.
- Previous Publications: Reviewing the quality and relevance of previously published articles can provide insight into the journal’s standards.
- Publisher Reputation: Some publishers operate large networks of questionable journals. It is helpful to research the publisher’s background and history.
Why It Matters
Publishing in a predatory journal can have long-term consequences. Articles in these journals are often excluded from academic databases and may not be taken seriously by hiring committees, funding bodies, or other researchers. In some cases, scholars have had to withdraw their work, leading to reputational damage and wasted time. For emerging researchers, publishing in these journals may negatively affect their academic credibility and reputation.
The rise of predatory publishing has also contributed to broader challenges in academic research, including the spread of low-quality or false information. Upholding rigorous publishing standards helps maintain trust in the scientific process.
Conclusion
Researchers should always evaluate journals carefully before submitting their work. A journal’s transparency, peer review process, editorial board, and indexing status are important indicators of its legitimacy.
If any aspect of a journal seems unclear or suspicious, it is best to seek advice from mentors, institutional librarians, or trusted academic colleagues. By staying informed and cautious, researchers can protect their work and contribute to high-quality academic publishing.
If you are unsure whether a journal is a predatory journal or not, or if you would like help identifying appropriate reputable journals, contact us for assistance and a free consultation.