Predatory Publishing: Evaluation Tools

There are many methods to successfully evaluate the quality of a journal or publisher.  Pick one or two before making a decision to accept an invitation

Use some of the evaluation tools on this page to help you identify and avoid publishing in a predatory journal. 

Check reputable sources to see if the journal has been indexed.  Some reputable journals are not indexed - so use this in addition to the other tools.

Also check the location using Google Maps - drill down to street view and see what is actually there. Keep in mind, street view photos may be out of date. Again, use this in addition to the other tools.

The following survey uses 12 questions that are based on Beall's criteria and the experiences from the Rutgers Center of Alcohol Studies Library since 2008. 

You have received an email inviting you to

• publish your paper for a small fee OR
• serve on their editorial board OR
• edit a special issue OR
• present as keynote speaker at a conference

STEP 1 Be alert

• Is it a legitimate request? - We are all flattered to be listed among the top experts of our field. 
• Do they want my work? My credentials? Name? Money? All of the above? 
• Are there any typos? Grammatical errors? Awkward sentences? 

STEP 2 Read between the lines

• Are they offering special treatment in one way or another? - Watch out for promises of rapid peer review or publication.
• Does it sound like "pyramid" publishing? Do they expect you to drag your colleagues into it, too? 
• Does it sound too good to be true?

STEP 3 Check out the sender

• Is there full contact info: email, phone, address? Are they in the same physical location (state, continent)?
• Is there a street address? Look it up on Google Maps! Is it an empty lot in the middle of nowhere?
• Do they direct you to their website? Look it up! Watch out for poor design and missing content.

STEP 4 Consider it predatory until proven otherwise

• Consult Cabell's Lists.
• Use Think. Check. Submit. to check for authority.
• Ask around. Ask your colleagues - predatory publishers tend to send the same email to authors (or anyone related to your research, e. g., listed on your lab's website) at the same time.
• Contact librarian. If there is a subject specialist, ask that librarian, or just ask any librarian.

• Do you or your colleagues know the journal?
  – Have you read any articles in the journal before?
  – Is it easy to discover the latest papers in the journal?
• Can you easily identify and contact the publisher?
  – Is the publisher name clearly displayed on the journal website?
  – Can you contact the publisher by telephone, email, and post?
• Is the journal clear about the type of peer review it uses?
• Are articles indexed in services that you use?
• Is it clear what fees will be charged?
  – Does the journal site explain what these fees are for and when they will be charged?
• Do you recognise the editorial board?
• – Have you heard of the editorial board members?
  – Do the editorial board mention the journal on their own websites?
• Adapted from  Think.Check.Submit.