Assessment of researchers’ criteria for identifying predatory publishers in Tanzania

Abstract

This study aims to assess the criteria employed by researchers at Tanzanian universities to identify predatory publishers as part of their efforts to maintain academic integrity. Specifically, the study seeks to analyze the criteria researchers used to detect predatory publishers and examine the resources they rely on to avoid them. A mixed-methods approach involving 201 researchers from the University of Dodoma (131) and Sokoine University of Agriculture (70) explored how participants of varied educational levels use criteria and resources to avoid predatory publishers. The study reveals moderate utilization of key criteria such as editorial board transparency, with 47.8 and 33.8% of researchers identifying it as a marker of predatory publishers. However, the low usage of formal tools like Cabell's List (10%) underscores limited institutional support and guidance for ethical publishing. This study offers practical insights on academic integrity, emphasizing institutional roles in promoting ethical publishing and guiding policy in Tanzanian and other developing contexts.