How to avoid bad journals

Be aware of predatory journals!

Recently, the problem of so-called predatory journals has been a hot topic. To support the University of Gothenburg's researchers, the University Library offers a number of different webinars on this current theme.

THIS SPRING, the Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences presented a new report on predatory journals from the InterAcademy Partnership, IAP: Combatting Predatory Academic Journals and Conferences. Predatory journals refer to journals that, in exchange for payment, publish scientific studies that have not been peer reviewed.

Eva Hessman, librarian at the Biomedical Library, confirms that it is a growing concern. – We receive more and more questions from researchers and PhD students, but also many people who need support when it comes to reviewing publication lists from applicants in connection with recruitment.

This is precisely why the University Library offers webinars to increase knowledge about issues related to dubious journals.

In order to meet the increased demand and improve knowledge about research ethics, Eva Hessman, together with her colleagues, has started a collaboration with the Council for Research Ethics at Sahlgrenska Academy. This spring they held a series of webinars under the title 20 minutes for researchers. Avoid predatory journals, focusing on what red flags researchers should be aware of when choosing a journal.

– DURING OUR WEBINARS, we try to have a nuanced debate by problematizing the concept of predatory journals. Scientists are not prey. You have as much responsibility for your choice of publication as when it comes to method and analysis of data, says Eva Hessman.

During the webinars, the researchers have the opportunity to ask questions and discuss the issue. It might involve which signals to pay attention to in order to determine whether a journal is reputable or not.

You have as much responsibility for your choice of publication…

EVA HESSMAN – THE MOST COMMON thing is that the journals use indicators in a non-scientific way and lie about how big an impact factor they have. Among other things, it is common for them to base their impact figures on Google Scholar or Index Copernicus, and not on the accepted impact factor from Incites. They also do not shy away from charging handsome fees from young researchers who depend on being published and receiving citations.

ACCORDING TO Eva Hessman, the biggest risk with publishing in these journals is appearing to be unprofessional. – If you show poor judgement in your choice of publication channel, it seems likely that your judgement may be erroneous in

other contexts as well.

What the individual researcher can do to counter predatory journals is to learn to identify them.

One warning sign is the estimate of how long the fact-checking process may take.

– THE SHORTER the time, the greater the cause for concern. One recommendation is to talk to your colleagues and investigate whether the journal in question is available in one of the databases you use in your research. – There are no easy answers. This is not a black-and-white issue. You have to form your own opinion and familiarize yourself with the subject, says Eva Hessman.

Text: Hanna Jedvik

Allan Eriksson

Illustration: David Parkins

FACTS

20 minutes for

researchers is a series of short presentations where the University Library provides advice on tools and services.

For more information visit:

www.ub.gu.se/sv/tjanster-och-stod/20-minuter-for-forskare The term "predatory journal" was coined in 2010 by Jeffrey Beall, librarian at the University of Colorado in the USA. He published a list of open access journals that he judged to be predatory journals. The list is no longer updated.