Let the Author Beware: Preventing Publication Remorse

Why Are Predatory Journals a Problem?

Predatory journals pose a threat both to science and to individual authors and their institutions. Scientific integrity suffers as research that falls below acceptable standards is published in massive volume because editorial supervision is lacking. On the individual level, authors are often unpleasantly surprised by article processing charges, ranging from a few hundred dollars to a few thousand dollars, because specific charges may be difficult to locate on the website prior to submission. Once an article is submitted, the author starts receiving threatening emails demanding payment. Other problems related to acceptable publishing standards include lack of archiving and journals that ceased publishing after one to two– volumes (Beall, 2017; Oermann et al., 2016). The author then is unable to provide evidence of the publication.

Characteristics of Predatory Journals/Publishers

In 2015, the World Association of Medical Editors, Committee on Publication Ethics, Directory of Open Access Journals, and the Open Access Scholarly Publishers Association collaborated to provide the Principles of Transparency and Best Practice in Scholarly Publishing: http://www.wame.org/about/principles-of-transparency-and-best-practice. Journals that do not adhere to these principles should cause you as an author to beware, as they raise red flags!

Specifically, here is a list to guide you through an assessment of a journal prior to submitting. This list is based on a presentation given by Charon A. Pierson PhD, GNP, FAAN, FAANP (Editor-in-Chief, Journal of the American Association of Nurse Practitioners, Secretary and Interim Treasurer, Committee on Publication Ethics) at the International Academy of Nursing Editors 2017 meeting in Denver, Colorado.

Make sure you can identify the following:

Defending Yourself Against Predatory Journals

As an author, fully inform yourself about characteristics of predatory journals so that you take a “let the author beware” approach. As you develop the manuscript, take caution not to use articles from predatory publishers as references.

Before submitting your prized manuscript, use the website “Think. Check. Submit,” which provides a checklist authors can use in the process of selecting a trusted journal (http://thinkchecksubmit.org/) that reinforces and covers the items above in a similar format.

Conclusion

Defending yourself from predatory publishers involves knowledge of why they create a problem, and how to identify and defend yourself against them. With a mindset of “let the author beware,” you’ll be much less likely to sacrifice your prized manuscript to a predatory publisher.

References

Acknowledgment of Reviewers

The editor wishes to thank the editorial board members and ad hoc reviewers listed below, who have contributed their expertise and time to review manuscripts in 2017 to help maintain the high quality of Research and Theory in Nursing Practice.

Khaldoun Aldiabat

Vivien Coates

Joseph De Santis

Nancy Dluhy

Ayfer Ekim

Rosemary Eustace

Sigridur Gunnarsdottir

Debra Hanna

Gweneth Hartrick Doane

Lisa Hennessy

Rita Jablonski-Jaudon

Judith James-Borga

Urmeka Jefferson

Linda Keilman

Theresa Kessler

Carlos Laranjeira

Rebecca Lehto

Keke Lin

Gloria Lopez-McKee

Lenora Marcellus

Deanna Mason

Holly Mata

Sharon Mccloskey

Carolyn Murrock

Sarah Newton

Franchesca Nunez

Susan Perry

Janice Putnam

Trinette Radasa

Pamela Reed

Kristina Reuille

Tracy Riley

Leslie Robbins

Carol Roehrs

Hanne Rostad

Denise Saint Arnault

Cheryl Schriner

Martha Sexton

Souraya Sidani

Katherine Sink

Lixin Song

Youngshin Song

Anne Thomas

Audrey Tolouian

Michael Weaver

Danny Willis