Stemming the rising tide of predatory journals and conferences: A selective review of literature

Abstract

The paper highlights the prevalence of predatory journals and conferences that damage science and research across all knowledge branches. They are characterized by rapid acceptance and publication, aggressive email marketing, lack of quality control, and charge hefty Article Processing Charges (APC) (for journal articles) and registration fees (for conference papers) from the authors. They thrive on the ignorance and naivety of early-stage, inexperienced, ambitious, and ingenuous researchers who have to adhere to publications’ mandatory institutional requirements. Unfortunately, the senior researchers, despite knowing the downsides, publish and present their research findings in predatory journals and conferences. The paper recommends that regulatory and funding bodies ensure that no credit or funding is given to publish and present in predatory journals and conferences. Libraries have a significant role to play – they should spread awareness among the researchers about the detrimental effect of fake publishing and conferencing; educate researchers about how to differentiate between bogus, fake journals, conferences, and the genuine ones.