Predatory Publishing

Predatory publishing is a widely discussed topic in the scientific community. It ranges from copyright infringement to potential loss of reputation, for example through identity theft in combination with artificial intelligence (AI). Researchers are experiencing with increasing frequency, how dubious publishers are trying to gain their attention with aggressive advertising and supposedly professional publication offers, while disregarding scientific standards. A publication in such a journal or conference proceeding can cause great damage to one's own scientific career as well as the author’s affiliated institutions.

We have compiled strategies against predatory publishing for you.

Quality features of a scientific journal are still, but not only:

• a peer review process and the resulting longer publication period,
• renowned persons on the editorial board,
• good visibility of content, for example through database indexing (e.g. Web of Science),
• membership of recognised associations (e.g. COPE).

Warning signals are in particular:

• incorrect information on the journal’s website (e.g. on the impact factor, on the editorial board),
• a very fast peer review process,
• poor findability of content,
• incorrect address details in the imprint.

It makes sense to submit your articles to those journals, which you would also reference in your research.

An essential basic principle of scientific work is that all scientists are honest towards themselves and others. The honest use of research results and their underlying data, facts and intellectual property forms the foundation of scientific work. (GWP, Ulm University)

On the following pages you will find further information on how to assess journals and conferences:

• The Directory of Open Access Journals (DOAJ) is an openly accessible database in which open access journals are listed.
• The website Think. Check. Submit. was developed by the DOAJ. The checklist provided, helps researchers to assess what needs to be considered before submitting to a journal.
• Using the Think. Check. Attend. website, researchers find a checklist to help them correctly assess conference proposals.
• With the Open Access Scholarly Publishing Association (OASPA), a strong community of publishing institutions was founded that is committed to open and high-quality publication organs.
• The Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE) strengthens the professionalisation and sensitisation of publication ethics issues.
• Indexing in the Web of Science (WoS) database is a good indicator that a journal is reputable. Check journals in the Journal Citation Reports (JCR).