How Journals Mislead Scholars to Publish Their Papers ?
Many scholars, especially beginners, become victims of misleading or predatory journals. These journals use attractive messages and false claims to convince authors to submit and publish their research papers. Understanding these tactics helps researchers avoid academic and financial loss.
1. Fake Indexing Claims
Some journals claim they are indexed in:
- SCI
- Scopus
- Web of Science
But in reality, they are indexed only in low-quality databases such as Index Copernicus or fake impact factor sites.
2. False Impact Factor
They advertise fake metrics like:
- Global Impact Factor
- Universal Impact Factor
- Cosmos Impact Factor
These are not recognized by universities or reputed institutions.
3. Unrealistically Fast Publication
Promises such as:
- Publish in 3 days
- Guaranteed acceptance
- No rejection
Real journals take weeks or months for peer review.
4. Spam Emails to Scholars
Predatory journals send bulk emails like:
- “Dear esteemed author”
- “We read your excellent paper” (without knowing your topic)
- “Submit your valuable manuscript urgently”
5. Fake Editorial Board
Some journals list famous professors without their permission or show fake profiles.
6. Hidden Publication Charges
They first say “free publication” but later demand high processing fees after acceptance.
7. Copycat Journal Names
They use names similar to reputed journals, for example:
- International Journal of Advanced Science and Technology
- Journal of Modern Engineering Research
These names confuse authors into thinking they are reputed journals.
8. Fake Peer Review
They claim peer review but accept papers without any real comments or corrections.
9. False Conference–Journal Links
Some journals claim that their journal is linked with reputed conferences or publishers, which is untrue.
How Scholars Can Protect Themselves
- Check journal indexing in official databases (Scopus, Web of Science)
- Verify publisher (Elsevier, Springer, IEEE, Wiley)
- Search journal name with word “predatory”
- Check editorial board authenticity
- Do not trust email invitations blindly
Why Scholars Fall into These Traps
- Pressure to publish quickly
- Lack of awareness
- Urgency for degree or promotion
- Fear of rejection from good journals
Conclusion
Misleading journals exploit scholars by using fake indexing, false impact factors, fast publication promises, and spam emails. Scholars should carefully verify journal credentials before submission to protect their academic career and research credibility.