Steps to identify predatory publishers
| What to look for |
What to check |
| Contact information |
- Does the journal's website have complete contact information?
- Does it include a verifiable address?
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| Scope of the journal |
- Is the journal's scope multidisciplinary?
- Does it combine multiple, unrelated, and wide-ranging fields?
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| Editorial board |
- Does it include recognized and affiliated experts? (Tip: Contact a few and inquire about their experience with the journal)
|
| Author fee policy |
- Does the journal charge authors publication fees? (Tip: Find out about such charges before submission)
|
| Quality of articles |
- Does the journal publish good quality research? (Tip: Check with your Dept. Head or Supervisor to gauge quality)
|
| Peer review process |
- Is the peer review process described on the journal's website? (Tip: Most credible journals are likely to display it)
|
| Indexing information |
- Is the journal indexed or a member of a prominent publisher association?
- Does it display an ICV (Index Copernicus Value)?
|
| Retraction policy |
- Does the journal have a clear policy for recalling articles? (Tip: Check journal policies or it's instructions to authors)
|
| Pitch for authors |
- Does the journal guarantee publication or quick peer review? (Tip: if it sounds too good to be true, it probably isn't)
|
| E-mail invitation |
- Do the journal, it's editors and staff all have institutional or journal-affiliated email addresses?
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Adapted from University of Missouri Libraries
