Answered By: Heather Empey
Last Updated: Aug 16, 2018     Views: 75

First see if the journal is listed in DOAJ (http://doaj.org). This isn't a guarantee that the OA journal is not predatory but it is a good indicator. You can also check to see if the publisher is a member of COPE (https://publicationethics.org/) or OASPA (https://oaspa.org/).

Analyze the journal to look for any predatory publisher indicators such as: receiving an unsolicited email, little or no contact info given, grammar errors in the text, false or misleading metrics given, scope of journal is extremely broad or inappropriate, promised turnaround time for peer review is very short, and information about fees or Author Processing Charges is not clearly laid out.  (See attached infographics for more details)

You can also check with colleagues or a librarian. Above all, use your critical thinking skills.

Related Topics

Contact Us

Need research help?

  • Email a librarian at ask@unbc.libanswers.com
  • Text 250-999-0478
  • Drop by the Research Help Desk

Check our Research Help webpage for full hours and service point information.