​Copyright Compli​ance ​: Predatory Publishing

What Are Predatory Journals?

Predatory journals:

• Claim to be peer-reviewed but do not follow rigorous editorial standards.

• Solicit manuscripts aggressively via spam emails.

• Charge authors publication fees without providing legitimate editorial or publishing services.

• Provide misleading information about indexing, editorial boards, and impact factors.

Red Flags of Predatory Publishers

1. Unsolicited Invitations: Frequent, generic emails inviting you to publish or join editorial boards.
2. Mass Mailings: Messages are not personalized — they might address you as “Respected Researcher” or “Dear Scientist”.
3. Poorly Written Messages: Emails may contain grammatical errors, awkward phrasing, or overly flattering language (e.g., “We admire your excellent contribution in science…”).
4. Questionable Peer Review: Very rapid acceptance or vague review process.
5. Pressure Tactics: They often emphasize urgency (“Submit within 7 days for rapid publication”).
6. Too Broad in Scope: Journals claim to publish everything from nanotechnology to medieval history in one venue.
7. Unclear Fees: Hidden or excessive article processing charges (APCs).
8. Misleading Indexing Claims: Claiming inclusion in databases like Scopus or Web of Science when not true.
9. Fake Metrics: Use of fake or obscure impact factors (e.g., “Global Impact Factor”).
10. Poor Website Quality: Broken links, spelling errors, or suspicious journal titles mimicking reputable ones.
11. Dubious Editorial Board: Board members with no credentials, fake names, or scholars unaware of their listing.
12. Free email services: Gmail, Yahoo, Hotmail, Outlook, etc. Legitimate journals almost never use @gmail.com for official correspondence.
13. Misspelled or lookalike domains:

• Example: @springer-journal.net (instead of @springer.com). @elsevierpublication.org (Elsevier actually uses @elsevier.com).

14. Overly generic domains: @editorialoffice.org, @globaljournals.info, @sciencepublication.net.
15. Mismatch with the website: The journal’s website says one thing, but the editor emails from a completely different or free domain and provides mismatched information.
16. Fake or Misleading Addresses: They may list a prestigious location (e.g., London, New York, Geneva) but actually operate elsewhere. Sometimes the listed address is a P.O. Box, virtual office, or even a residential building.
17. Multiple “Headquarters” - A single journal might claim offices in USA, UK, Dubai, India, and Nigeria simultaneously. Legitimate publishers usually have one clear headquarters and a few global branches.
18. Vague or Missing Contact Information: Only a generic contact form with no physical address. No phone number or institutional affiliation provided.
19. Suspicious Geographic Patterns: Many predatory publishers are based in regions with less regulatory oversight but claim global prestige. Overuse of terms like “International,” “Global,” or “World” in journal titles can sometimes be a giveaway

How to Evaluate a Journal?

Use these strategies to assess journal quality:

• Check trusted databases:

  • Directory of Open Access Journals (DOAJ)

  • Journal Citation Reports (JCR)

  • Scopus

• Consult whitelists & blacklists:

  • Think. Check. Submit. checklist

  • Cabells Journalytics vs. Predatory Reports

• Examine policies: Look for clear peer review, archiving, and retraction policies.

• Ask colleagues or librarians: Get expert input before submission.