The Current Situation and Solutions to “Predatory” Publishing

Abstract

This article provides a comprehensive overview of “predatory” publishing, a complex and increasingly prevalent phenomenon within today’s academic world. Predatory publishing is a business model that makes a profit by collecting article processing charges (APC) from authors but does not ensure a quality editing, reviewing, and publishing process. Predatory journals and publishers often impersonate reputable journals and promise fast publication times, mainly to profit from APC. This problem is increasing, seriously affecting the scientific reputation and the quality of researchers’ publications. This article aims to identify the characteristics of “predatory” publishing, analyze the causes that promote the development of this phenomenon, and propose preventive solutions for the academic community through the following steps: (1) synthesizing and analyzing international and domestic literature on “predatory” publications; (2) develop a system for recognizing and avoiding predatory journals; and (3) gaining practical from reputable academic forums. The results showed that the signs of identifying a predatory journal that are confusing names, non-transparent peer review process, unclear contact/headquarters information, fake editorial boards, and unprofessional invitation emails. Furthermore, due to limited awareness among a portion of researchers and the current insufficiency of measures to prevent low-quality publishing, it is essential to enhance awareness, develop detection tools, and strengthen publication quality control in order to safeguard scientific credibility.