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Eastern Michigan University Halle Library

Predatory Publishers

Learn to recognize and avoid predatory or questionable publishers, understand the risks of deceptive publishing practices, and find reliable tools to verify journal quality.

Predatory and Questionable Publishers: What You Need to Know

What Is Predatory Publishing?

Predatory publishing refers to the unethical practices of publishers or journals that mislead researchers about the quality and legitimacy of their publications. These publishers often exploit the gold open access model, charging authors to make their work freely available but failing to provide the legitimate editorial, peer review, and indexing services that real journals offer.

As Murphy (2019) explains, “By accepting an author’s fee and failing to provide the benefits and services a legitimate journal offers, such as peer review, editing, and indexing in a reputable service, an even higher profit margin is possible than that available to legitimate publishers.”

Predatory publishers often rely on flashy websites, aggressive email solicitations, and false claims of credibility to appear authentic. They frequently target early-career researchers who are eager to publish quickly or unaware of these deceptive tactics.

What's the Harm?

Publishing with unethical or deceptive journals can have lasting consequences:

  • Poor or no peer review: Your work may not be properly evaluated or improved.
  • Risk of loss: Articles may disappear if the website shuts down or changes ownership.
  • Low visibility: Many predatory journals are not indexed in trusted databases such as Web of Science or Scopus, making your work hard to find or cite.
  • Reputational damage: Association with questionable publishers can harm your professional credibility.
  • No second chance: Once published in a predatory journal, your work usually cannot be republished elsewhere.
  • Lack of support: Legitimate publishers invest in preservation, discoverability, and editorial quality, while predatory ones do not.

 

Murphy, J. A. (2019). Predatory publishing and the response from the scholarly community. Serials Review, 45(1–2), 73–78. https://doi.org/10.1080/00987913.2019.1624910

Common Signs of Questionable Publishing

The table below highlights key differences between reputable publishing practices and warning signs of potentially predatory or questionable journals. Use it as a quick reference when evaluating where to submit your work.

Comparing reputable publishing practices with common warning signs
Reputable Practice Signs of Trouble
Publishes useful, quality research Promises to publish all content
Clear organizational affiliation No clear organization named
Transparent peer review and editorial policies Editorial process is unclear
Editorial board with visible names and affiliations No or questionable editorial board
Indexed in recognized databases Not indexed, or falsely claims indexing
Clear publication fees Fees are hidden or ambiguous
Proven citation metrics (JCR, Scopus, Scimago) Citation claims are unverifiable or use nonstandard sources

 

If you receive an unexpected invitation to publish or present, take a few minutes to verify the source using the resources below.

Avoiding Deceptive Publishing Practices

Be cautious of unsolicited invitations to submit articles or conference presentations. Early-career researchers and graduate students are especially targeted. Use university and library tools to vet publishers and journals before submitting your work.

Any Questions?