Skip to Main Content
WA Country Health Service Library banner WA Country Health Service Library home WA Country Health Service Library logo

Research

Predatory Publishing

Not all publishers are reputable.  Your reputation and wallet will be harmed if you publish in a predatory journal.  There is NO comprehensive list of sites to avoid - instead you need to closely examine any publisher touting for content and payment to determine their trustworthiness.  This cannot always be judged by the look of a site - only by the quality of the publication.

Being listed in DOAJ or holding membership in the Open Access Scholarly Publishers Association provides some indicator of quality but the best advice is to use the Think Check Submit website guidance and / or seek advice from senior researchers and clinicians.

An indicator of quality is if the journal is selected for indexing in major databases such as Medline, Embase, PsycInfo etc.

 “Predatory journals and publishers are entities that prioritize self-interest at the expense of scholarship and are characterized by false or misleading information, deviation from best editorial and publication practices, a lack of transparency, and/or the use of aggressive and indiscriminate solicitation practices.”  From:  Predatory journals: no definition, no defence - Nature - December 2019