Predatory publishers

Open Access journals and publishers often cover their costs through article processing charges (APC). This publishing model has given rise to fake publishers who start journals in order to make money. They usually send spam emails to researchers promising a quick publishing time or low cost, but do not have an editorial board or peer-review process. To avoid this, there are a few things to keep in mind:

• Is the journal linked to a well-known publisher, research institute, or University?
• What information is available on the publisher's own website?
• Is there any information about the editorial staff or contact information?
• Which researchers have previously published in the publisher's journals?
• How is the offer written? Poor English and misspellings are of course warning signs.
• Talk to your colleagues - have several received the same offer to publish or be part of an editorial board? If you continue with a lesser-known publisher: read (as always!) The terms of the publishing agreement carefully, so that you are sure of what you are signing.