Predatory Publishing
The term "predatory publishing" refers to publishers who offer publications for a fee with false statements and promises and often without a review process. These predatory publishers, who abuse the Open Access model, harm the researchers publishing there. On October 2nd 2018, the German Rectors' Conference (Hochschulrektorenkonferenz, HRK) issued a statement on this phenomenon.
How can you recognise predatory publishers?
- Publishers try to recruit authors very aggressively
- Names of the journals are broad and not very meaningful
- Sometimes well-known magazines are imitated
- Costs are not communicated transparently on the websites
- No sufficient contact options
- Editorial Board contains only unknown names
- Impact factor is not correct
- ISSN is not registered
What consequences might I expect if I publish there?
- Unpredictable costs
- Problems with withdrawing a submitted contribution
- No permanent access
- Poor findability e.g. in subject and citation databases
- No adequate assessment of own performance by publication in "wrong" journal
What should I look for before submitting an article to a journal I don't know?
- Do you know any scientists from the Editorial Board?
- What is the output of the journal, how long has it existed, who else publishes there?
- Is the impact factor stated correctly?
- Is the journal indexed in subject databases?
- In the case of an open access journal: Is the journal included in the Directory of Open Access Journals (DOAJ)?
- Are there clear contact instructions?
- Are the costs communicated transparently?
On the following page you will find a short information video and comprehensive information on the topic of Predatory Publishing including a checklist: https://thinkchecksubmit.org/
Do you have questions or are you unsure? We are happy to advise you and support you in the formal review of open access journals.
