Addressing the Pervasive Issue of Predatory Journals and Conferences: An Indian Researcher's Perspective

Dear Editor,

We are writing to you as concerned early-career researchers and authors, echoing the sentiments of numerous colleagues who find themselves besieged by an avalanche of solicitations from predatory journals and conferences. The alarming ubiquity of these invitations underscores the pressing necessity for concerted action within the academic community to confront this grave issue.

Predatory journals employ a duplicitous modus operandi, projecting a veneer of authenticity to lure unsuspecting researchers. Our email inboxes are inundated with invitations laden with promises of expeditious publication and worldwide acclaim, only to levy extortionate or, conversely, meager Article Processing Charges (APCs) in exchange for substandard or non-existent peer review processes. ¹ These unscrupulous entities often purport to expedite publication within a mere week under the guise of “fast-track publication.” The ramifications of such unethical practices are profound and deleterious, casting a shadow on the credibility and progress of scientific discourse. The conspicuous absence of explicit statements regarding the peer review process and the opacity shrouding editorial board membership cast severe doubts on their legitimacy. Additionally, it is worth noting that many of these predatory journals deliberately choose names that closely resemble those indexed in databases such as PubMed and SCOPUS, ensnaring numerous inexperienced and experienced researchers in their web of deceit. A recent analysis by Tomlinson's study offers pertinent data. Over an 8-year period, an early career academic received 1280 unsolicited academic emails, including 990 journal invitations, beginning just 3 months after registering for an international conference. This illustrates the rapid and aggressive targeting of early career researchers by predatory publishers. ²

Furthermore, these predatory entities extend their influence to conferences, exploiting our aspirations for professional development and networking prospects. The allure of an international platform can be captivating, yet closer scrutiny reveals poorly orchestrated events characterized by inflated participation fees, rendering minimal to no academic value. They also nominate emerging researchers for unspecified and unsolicited awards as a quid pro quo for attending conferences with exorbitant registration fees. The scarcity of publicly available information regarding such conferences perpetually leaves their credibility under a shroud of uncertainty. ³

As nascent scholars, we bear the onus of distinguishing bona fide opportunities from deceptive ones. It is incumbent upon us to educate ourselves and our peers about the telltale signs of predatory practices, empowering each other to make judicious decisions regarding the dissemination of our research. This includes conducting meticulous due diligence on both journals and conferences, seeking counsel from mentors, and consulting reputable resources.

It is imperative that esteemed journals of high impact assume a leadership role in combating this challenge. Initiatives encompassing awareness campaigns, comprehensive guidelines, and instructive workshops for identifying predatory solicitations can significantly fortify the knowledge base of emerging researchers, thereby safeguarding their work and scholarly reputations.

Furthermore, fostering collaboration among established journals, academic institutions, and funding bodies can bolster our collective endeavors to extirpate predatory practices. By nurturing an environment characterized by transparency and accountability, we can safeguard the integrity of scholarly discourse and ensure the dissemination of reliable research that genuinely propels the boundaries of knowledge.

The journals indexed in Scopus, PubMed, Medline, Embase/Excerpta Medica, Index Medicus, and Index Copernicus are taken into consideration by the National Medical Commission (NMC), a statutory authority that oversees medical education in India. The NMC regulation has the drawback of taking into account Index Copernicus, which appears to feature potentially predatory publications, while excluding E-journals, which exclusively publish in electronic format. ⁴ A depressing concerning finding from a 2016 survey was that 11% of writers who publish in predatory journals are from reputable national research institutes in India, and 30% of research received grants to pay for publication there. ⁵ The 2018 survey conducted by Cobey et al, encompassing 82 authors globally, disclosed that 41% of researchers, whose manuscripts were published in predatory journals, initially came into contact with these publications through unsolicited emails requesting manuscript submissions. ⁶ Authors and the scientific community as a unit can take several proactive measures to avoid predatory publishers. Key recommendations include staying informed about reputable journals and publishers, seeking guidance from colleagues and mentors, utilizing resources like ‘Think. Check. Submit.’ for evaluation, and being cautious of unsolicited invitations. Additionally, carefully reviewing a journal's editorial board, publication practices, and indexing status can contribute to making informed decisions in scholarly publishing.

India became a global hotspot due to its evolving academic system, lack of understanding among early researchers, usage of publishing criteria for promotions and tenures, and limiting funding. ⁷ Publishing in predatory journals affects scientists from both high (the USA, France, Spain) and low/middle income countries (India, Iran, Pakistan, Nigeria, Ethiopia).^6–9 The insidious prevalence of predatory journals and conferences poses a formidable challenge to the academic community. However, through collective awareness, vigilance, and collaboration, we can fortify the walls of academic integrity and ensure that the pursuit of knowledge remains undiminished by deceitful practices. Together, we can safeguard the future of scientific discourse.