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Predatory Publishing
Predatory journals and publishers, which may include hijacked journals, prioritize their self-interest by exploiting authors in various ways.
Predatory publishing can happen with or without your knowledge. A predatory journal may publish your work or list you as an author without your permission. In some cases, you may fall victim to a predatory publishing scam by accidentally submitting to a publisher that appears to be trusted and legit but turns out to not be trusted. There are other situations where technology, such as Artificial Intelligence (AI), may be used to add your name as an author to content you did not create.
How to be Proactive
The Think Check Submit process is a responsible practice to follow for your publications and other work. The process provides checklists and other resources to researchers so they can identify trusted journals and publishers for their scientific research.
The Think SCIENCE Organization indicates four key differences between reputable and predatory journals:
- Adequate, qualified review;
- Qualified, independent editorial oversight;
- Transparent fees, procedures, and policies; and
- Acceptance by reputable scholarly organizations.
Review Beall’s List for potential predatory publishers and journals. While this list is not actively maintained, it provides examples of historical predatory journals.
Reporting Options
If you have found a predatory journal or publisher is trying to exploit you as a researcher and/or your work, there are several actions you can take.
- Report the incident directly to the journal and/or the publisher and request the material or your association be removed.
- If the citation is displayed on your Google Scholar list, you may want to reach out to Google Scholar Support to remove the citation.
- Contact the Predatory Journals Team.
- Contact the University’s Research Integrity Officer (RIO) if you have not received a response from the journal/publisher. The RIO can follow-up with the journal/publisher with a request to remove the article. Note that it’s at the journal’s discretion whether or not to move forward with the retraction, or to allow a correction.
- If you experience an academic scam, you can report it to your state attorney general’s office and the Federal Trade Commission (FTC).
Be sure to preserve and maintain all correspondence as evidence that you are acknowledging the scam and are trying to resolve it. Such information may be useful if questions arise about your name being associated with research that you did not conduct and/or an inaccurate representation of your research. If needed, a memo can be created by the RIO and shared with those who may be questioning the authenticity.
Resources
Office for Research Protections
Address
200 Innovation Blvd.
Suite 110
University Park, PA 16802
The Office for Research Protections (ORP) ensures that research at the University is conducted in accordance with federal, state, and local regulations and guidelines that protect human participants, animals, students, and personnel involved with research.