When considering a journal, there are several things you can do to determine a journal's authenticity. It is important to do these things on your own or while collaborating with your advisor. According to Elmore and Weston (2020) and Zakout (2020), these tips will help you avoid predatory journals altogether.
- Check the journal against allow lists and blocked lists.
- Make sure that you clearly understand the journal's publishing policy. If it is unclear, then it could be a red flag.
- Make sure you understand the journal's publishing fees. If the journal charges ridiculous fees, this could also be a red flag.
- Have you seen the journal in your search results of databases you have used in the past?
- See if the journal is a part of COPE, OASPA, and/or DOA.
- Contact the publisher and see how they respond. If it is a predatory journal, the publisher may not respond at all.
- Trust your instincts! If something does not feel right, then do not consider submitting your work to that journal.
