Every researcher receives them: emails praising a “recent outstanding work” and inviting a submission to a journal you have never heard of, promising publication within days. Some of these journals are genuine new publications. Others are what researchers call predatory or questionable journals, which collect fees but do not provide real editorial or peer review services.
Publishing in such a journal can harm your reputation and, in some cases, your eligibility for promotions or appointments. Here is how to tell the difference.
Warning signs
1. Unrealistic promises
Proper peer review takes time. A journal promising acceptance within 24–72 hours is very unlikely to be reviewing papers seriously.
2. Aggressive or flattering emails
Repeated unsolicited invitations, often with generic praise and spelling mistakes, are a common tactic. Genuine journals do invite submissions, but rarely in this way.
3. Extremely broad scope
A multidisciplinary journal is normal. But a journal claiming to publish “all subjects of science, arts, engineering, medicine and management” with no clear editorial structure deserves a closer look.
4. Hidden or unclear fees
If the publication charge is only revealed after acceptance, or keeps increasing, be careful. Transparent journals list fees openly.
5. Unverifiable editorial board
Check a few board members. Do they exist? Are they at the institutions listed? Do they know they are on the board? Some questionable journals list well-known academics without permission.
6. Fake or misleading metrics
Be cautious of impressive-sounding “impact factors” from unfamiliar organisations. Some metrics are invented specifically to make journals look established. Verify any indexing claim directly in the database mentioned.
7. Poor-quality published papers
Read a few published articles. Serious problems with language, formatting, methods or obvious plagiarism suggest weak or no review.
8. Missing basic information
A credible journal displays its ISSN, publisher name and address, contact details, peer review policy, publication ethics policy and licence information. If these are missing or vague, be careful.
A useful checklist: Think. Check. Submit.
“Think. Check. Submit.” is an international initiative supported by many publishing organisations to help researchers choose trusted journals. Its basic idea is simple: before submitting, take time to check the journal’s identity, review process, fees and track record. Their website offers a free checklist you can work through.
Practical steps you can take
- Ask colleagues and supervisors. Have people in your field read or published in this journal?
- Check your institution’s guidance. Universities and regulatory bodies often provide guidance on acceptable journals for academic evaluation.
- Verify the ISSN in the ISSN Portal.
- Look up the publisher. Does it have a physical address, a history and other genuine publications?
- Read the policies. Peer review, ethics, retractions and copyright should all be described.
- Trust your instinct. If something feels too easy or too good to be true, slow down.
What if you have already published in one?
If you realise after publication that a journal was not genuine, discuss it with your supervisor or a senior colleague. It is usually not possible to republish the same work elsewhere unless the original publication is withdrawn, so seek advice before taking any step. Learn from the experience and use the checks above next time.
A balanced view
Not every new or small journal is predatory. Many genuine journals start small, especially those serving regional communities or publishing in Indian languages. The difference lies in transparency and honest practice: clear policies, real peer review, a real editorial board and honest information about fees and indexing.
Taking a few minutes to check a journal protects your work, your time and your academic reputation.
— Editorial Team, Imaginative Ink Publications