The Predatory Website
Evaluating the Website
When I go to the journal's website, I immediately noticed this on the top corner:
A reputable journal would never have such a prominently displayed typo.
Other issues:
- More typos, particularly random capitalization.
- Strange word choices: "You are enforced"
- When I click on "Indexing" all it says is "coming soon." Reputable journals should be indexed in reputable places.
- Outrageous publishing prices. This is major red flag. (Note: In a year period, this charge has gone up by $400).
- No contact information for the journal or editor-in-chief.
- Editorial board and peer reviewers include people from all disciplines - not just library science. What expertise in libraries and information science do a mechanical engineer and an auditor have? Interestingly, none of the people list are the ones I'm supposedly receiving emails from.
- No photos or contact information given for editors or peer reviewers.
- Editorial board and peer reviewers are all international and was difficult to verify their credentials and background.
- Articles are written and published in English, but many editors and reviewers do not appear to publish in English themselves.
- When I looked up editors and peer reviewers, their actual area of expertise did not always match what was listed on the journal's website.
- No information about peer reviewed process.
- Significant portion of page is dedicating to article processing charges, not peer review process, copyright, or policies.
This journal is part of the "Science Publishing Group." I quickly noticed these issues:
- Science Publishing Group claims it publishes over 200 scholarly journals in practically every subject that exists (from art to medicine).
- They are located on Fashion Avenue in New York City - odd place for an academic publisher. When I checked Google maps, I did not see them.
- None of their social media pages have been updated since October 2016.
