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Avoid Predatory Journals

This guide will help you identify and avoid publishing scams.

Concerned About Predatory Journals?

Common journal publishing questions: I've never heard of this journal. Should I publish there anyway? I got an email asking me to publish. I don't know them, but they say they're familiar with my work. I need to find a journal to publish in. This one says fast turnaround. Is that good? It says it's peer reviewed. So, why not?

If you have concerns about a journal, do not submit an article, sign a contract, or send a payment.

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What Should I Do If . . . ?

My article has been accepted for publication, but now the publisher is asking for a fee I was never made aware of.

This is a warning sign of a predatory journal. Do not move forward in the publishing process until you have closely evaluated the journal and determined whether or not it is predatory. Contact the libraries if you need help evaluating the journal. If you decide against moving forward with the journal, inform the publisher that you are withdrawing your article. If you have not yet signed a publishing agreement, the publisher is not authorized to publish your article. If they publish your article anyway, ask them to remove your article from their website.

I published in a journal that I didn't realize was illegitimate, and I want the publisher to remove my article.

If you signed a publishing agreement, review it to see what rights you may have transferred to the publisher. If you did not sign an agreement, ask the publisher to remove your article from their website.

My name appears as a board member or editor of a journal without my consent.

Ask the publisher to remove your name. Take steps to make it clear to others that you are not associated with the publisher, including by contacting other board members, editors, or authors listed on their website.

Where can I get help?

You can contact the libraries for help with journal publishing. In some cases, you may also want to consider contacting the VCU Office of University Counsel for help.