Red Flags to Watch For
Not sure if a journal is legitimate? Keep an eye out for these warning signs:
- No real peer review – Some predatory journals claim to conduct peer review, but either skip the process entirely or provide vague, overly positive feedback that doesn’t engage with the paper’s content.
- Upfront publishing fees – Reputable open-access journals charge article processing fees, but they do so after acceptance. If a journal demands money before peer review, it’s a major red flag.
- Low-quality papers – Browse past issues. Are the published papers riddled with errors, exaggerated claims, or poorly written content? If so, proceed with caution.
- Dubious editorial board – If the editorial board consists of unknown researchers or lacks experts in your field, that’s a sign the journal isn’t credible.
- Lack of indexing – If the journal isn’t indexed in well-known databases like PubMed, Web of Science, or Scopus, it may not be widely recognised.
Suspiciously low impact factor – A low impact factor isn’t always bad–some new or highly specialised journals have low scores, but it should be assessed alongside other factors.
Avoiding Predatory Journals Checklist
Ensure the credibility of your chosen journal and protect the integrity of your research. Use our comprehensive guide to steer clear of predatory journals and confidently publish your findings.
How to Make Sure You’re Submitting to a Reputable Journal
According to our Scientific Director, the best way to avoid predatory journals is thorough research. Look at the editorial board, read previously published articles, and consider the reputation of the publisher. If something feels off, it probably is.
Here are some steps to take before submitting your work:
- Check the publisher – Established publishers (e.g., Elsevier, Springer, Wiley) are typically safe. Smaller publishers may also be legitimate but require more scrutiny.
- Use verification tools – Resources like COPE (Committee on Publication Ethics), DOAJ (Directory of Open Access Journals), and Think. Check. Submit. can help confirm a journal’s credibility.
- Consult colleagues – Ask your peers or mentors if they recognise the journal and whether they’d submit their own work there.
- Trust your instincts – If a journal’s website looks hastily made, is riddled with typos, or seems too eager for your submission, think twice.
What If You’ve Already Submitted?
Mistakes happen. If you realise you’ve submitted to a predatory journal, don’t panic. “Ask the journal to retract the paper if already published. If still in submission, then advise the journal that you have decided not to proceed, and try to avoid paying any fees,” says our Scientific Director.
The Changing Landscape of Predatory Journals
With the rise of AI and easy website creation, predatory journals are becoming more sophisticated. “there is ongoing disagreement as to what exactly constitutes a predatory journal” he notes, “They must be easier to set up now though with the rise of cheap websites and AI assistance to make a website look convincing.” This means researchers need to be more vigilant than ever.
The Golden Rule
When in doubt, follow this one simple rule: Never publish in a journal that lacks a peer review process or asks for a fee upfront.
By staying informed and cautious, researchers can protect their work—and their careers—from predatory journals.
For a more comprehensive look at predatory journals and how to avoid them, check out our article Predatory Journals: The Researcher’s Guide to Identifying and Avoiding Deceptive Publishers.
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