Predatory Journal
Predatory Journal
A predatory journal, as defined, is a “pseudo-academic journal” that disregards academic publishing ethics and primarily aims to operate at a 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 (Article Processing Charges, or publishing fees) for the publication. However, these journals have no actual peer reviews or editing services, which results in poor article quality. When scholars realize something is wrong and want to withdraw their papers, these predatory journals may even demand further fees. If you inadvertently fall into the trap of a predatory journal, not only will your hard work be in vain, but it may also damage your 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.
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About “Potential Predatory Journals” Original Link
1. Content:
● There is an unusually large breadth of academic fields and topics contained in one journal
● The nomenclature of the journal appears inconsistent with the field of
the articles included
● Unusually high impact factor
● The field of the journal does not align with the researcher or their article’s topic.
● Overemphasis on its inclusion in some renowned academic databases
● The name of the journal is very similar to that of another, respected journal, or specifically includes the word “International” in its name
2. Fees:
● Guarantees fast review and publication
● Charges authors with different items throughout the review and publication process
● Does not clearly list the article processing charges (APCs)
3. 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:
1. 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.)
2. 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 predatory journals and publishers (https://beallslist.net)
■ For further reference information on avoiding predatory journals and conferences, please consult the information below:
1. Conducting relevant checks and confirmations before registration: The mostcommonly used conference checklist currently is the Conference Checker on the Think.Check.Attend website (https://thinkcheckattend.org/conference-checker/). The authenticity of the conference can be ascertained through examining the "Organizers and Sponsors," "Agenda and Editorial Committee" and "Conference Proceedings"
2. Reviewing lists of reputable or questionable conferences: Some organizations and individuals establish reference lists based on specific purposes and needs, which can be reviewed before registering for a conference.
3. Handling suggestions after registration:With regards to the Academia Sinica's "Academic Ethics - Predatory Journals and Conferences" section (https://ae.daais.sinica.edu.tw/pages/3695) and the recommendations from the Ottawa Hospital Research Institute's (OHRI) Journalology webpage, if teachers and students have already submitted to a predatory journal, they should take the following actions:do not pay publication fees, do not sign the copyright agreement, request to withdraw and retract the paper, do not pay withdrawal and retraction fees, and be proactive in disclosing this submission experience when submitting this work to other journals in the future in order to avoid further victimization.
4. More information: The Ministry of Education has established a "Beware of Predatory Journals and Conferences" material package on the "Taiwan Academic Ethics Education Resource Center" website. (https://ethics.moe.edu.tw/packagepost/detail/1/) This website provides online courses, promotional materials, and related resources for avoiding predatory journal information. The Ministry of Education is constantly updating this webpage with new resources and important information. Please make full use of these resources.
■ Note
1. “Mega Journals” are not considered predatory journals for the time being. Some mega journal publishers are able to ensure a responsible publishing and reviewing model, so it would be inappropriate to list all mega journals as predatory journals. However, the mega journal publishing model is being used by predatory journals. Academics looking to publish their work in a mega journal are advised to use the aforementioned tactics to protect themselves and their research.
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 fromhttps://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 fromhttps://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%9 2%BF%E5%AE%89_20221220.pdf
