Predatory Journal
Predatory Journal
A predatory journal, as defined, is a “pseudo-academic journal” that disregards academic publishing ethics and primarily aims to profit (Lin Qixiu, 2023). The term “predatory journal” was first proposed by Jeffrey Beall, a library researcher at the University of Colorado Denver. These types of journals invite scholars to submit papers in an open access publishing manner, and charge APCs for the publication. However, there is no actual peer review and editing service, leading to poor article quality. When scholars realize something is wrong and want to withdraw their papers, predatory journals may even demand other fees. If one inadvertently falls into the trap of a predatory journal, not only will the fruit of hard work be in vain, but it may also damage one’s academic reputation and have a negative impact on the academic community.
The following provides information related to “potential predatory journals” and lists tools for verification.
■ About “Potential Predatory Journals” Original Link
- Content:
● The field of articles exhibits an unprecedented breadth.
● The nomenclature of the journal appears inconsistent with the field of the articles included.
● Peculiar and not low impact factor.
● The field of the journal does not align with the recipient (researcher) itself.
● Especially emphasizes that it is included in some renowned academic databases.
● The name of the journal is very similar to a regular journal, or specifically has the word international
- Fees:
● Guarantees fast review and publication
● Charges authors in various names during the paper processing stages
● Does not clearly list the article processing charges (APCs)
- Publishers:
● Does not provide the name of the editor, or provides false editor information.
● Does not list the contact information of the journal or publisher’s office.
● The publisher's title commonly incorporates terms such as “United States” (American), “Canada,” “Britain” (British), etc., but it is not actually a publisher legally registered in these countries.
■ Inquiry and Determination of Predatory Journals:
- Courses and Self-check
● Center for Taiwan Academic Ethics Education Resource “Predatory Journal and Publishing” course (https://ethics.moe.edu.tw/files/demo/demo_u91/index.html)
● Provides a self-checklist for checking predatory journals (Think.Check.Submit.)
- Identification Method:
● Positive list reference
• Verify the quality of the journal with the Journal Citation Reports(JCR) Impact factor indicator (https://jcr.clarivate.com/jcr/home)
• Clarivate free Master Journal List(https://mjl.clarivate.com/home)
• Use Scopus indicator to verify the quality of the journal
• Use DOAJ (Directory of Open Access Journals)
● Negative list reference
• Beall’s list of potential predatory journals and publisher (https://beallslist.net/)
■ Note
- “Mega Journal” is not included in the predatory journal for the time being, since some better publishers are still establishing a good publishing model, it seems inappropriate to list them, but it is recommended to continue to observe and conduct ongoing evaluations.
■ References:
● Zhou Qi an, Pan Xuan an (2019). An Introduction and Prevention of Predatory Publishing.
● Lin Qi xiu, Lai Jing yi (2014). The Dark Side of Open Access: Predatory Publishers and their Problems. Journal of Library and Information
Studies, 6(2), 1-21.
● Lin Yi hong (April 19, 2023). Tracking the Fraud Group in Academia! National Taiwan University Lin Qi xiu Reveals the Harm of “Predatory
Journals”. Humanities. Island. Retrieved from https://humanityisland.nccu.edu.tw/chi-shiou-lin/
● National Chengchi University Library (April 30, 2019). Prevent Academic Fraud! Understand Predatory Journals. Retrieved from:
http://www.lib.nccu.edu.tw/zh_tw/announcement/防堵學術詐騙-認識掠奪性期刊-29405733
● National Taiwan Normal University. Open Access Resources. Retrieved from https://www.lib.ntnu.edu.tw/academic_guide/guide_02_03.jsp
● Center forTaiwan Academic Ethics Education Resource (May 3, 2019). “Predatory Journal and Publishing” Related Courses and Publicity.
Retrieved from https://ethics.moe.edu.tw/news/detail/132/
● Pan Xuan an (2022). Introduction to Mega Journal and Submission Precautions. Taipei Medical University 111 Academic Year Academic Ethics
Advocacy Lecture. Retrieved from
http://tmurd.tmu.edu.tw/uploads/bulletin_file/file/63a515484f4d121e39000086/_%E8%AC%9B%E7%BE%A9%E7%89%88__%E8%87%BA%E5%8C%97%E9%86%AB%E5%AD%B8%E5%A4%A7%E5%AD%B8_%E6%BD%98%E7%92%BF%E5%AE%89_20221220.pdf
