Opportunistic publishers share several characteristics:
*Charging authors/funding bodies to publish articles open access is a model used by many reputable journal publishers and is not the single factor used to determine if a journal should be considered "predatory."
THESE LISTS ARE NO LONGER AVAILABLE.
Where did they go? Learn more at the "Debunking Denialism" blog.
Jeffrey Beall, a librarian at the University of Colorado Denver, has compiled lists "potential, possible, or probable predatory" journals and publishers.
A journal or publisher's inclusion on the list does not mean it definitely engages in unscrupulous practices. The lists are based on Beall's opinions and research, and change frequently as journals and publishers modify their business practices.
Authors using these lists to screen publishers and standalone journals are encouraged to reach their own conclusions.
A cached version of Beall's List is available. Keep in mind that it is no longer updated.
Many junk open access journals send invitations to publish in future issues or serve on editorial boards. Before submitting an article or agreeing to a seat on an editorial board, investigate the reputation and legitimacy of the journal.
Fortunately, opportunistic journals are easily detectable. Steps to determine whether a journal or publisher is predatory include:
Sometimes, what appears to be an indicator of journal quality is actually meaningless. Consider the following: