So-called “Predatory” Journal: how to protect yourself?

These are pseudoscientific journals that are often fraudulent. Their editorial processes (peer review) are questionable, and they generally promise to publish articles on an open access basis within a short timeframe in exchange for an APC.

That type of journal can be identified using several criteria, as referenced on the Stop Predatory Journals site, the Open Science site of the University of Rennes 1, and the UNESCO guide.

These criteria include :

– direct e-mail solicitations to publish

– submission of articles by e-mail

– very short publication deadlines

– very high manuscript acceptance rates

– lack of transparency in the editorial process (particularly with regard to reviewing)

– lack of a retraction policy.

etc.

The DOAJ has also compiled a list of journals that have been removed from its database due to suspicions of predatory behaviour.

Finally, the University of Liège offers an online tool for assessing the authenticity of a journal: Compass to Publish.

The University of Quebec has compiled a variety of resources (in French) including videos, posters and evaluation grids, on predatory publishers.