Predatory Journals: Identify, Avoid, and Publish Safely

Section outline

• Select section Welcome

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  Welcome

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  • Select activity About this course

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    note

    This course and all its content are freely accessible to guest visitors. Due to technical reasons, registration and enrollment in the course are necessary if you would like to participate in the three tests and acquire a certificate of attendance.

    who is this course intended for?

    This course is designed for:

    • Master students with first research experience,
    • PhD students and postdoctoral researchers and
    • Scholars from all disciplines who wish to publish their research.

    
    

     🕚 It takes approximately 45 to 60 minutes to complete the course.

      

    Citation guide: "Predatory Journals: Identify, Avoid, and Publish Safely" Carolin Becklas Dorow, licenced under CC-BY 4.0, source: https://service.tib.eu/toern/course/view.php?id=75.

    The course was published in 2026 under a CC BY 4.0-Licence. Please feel free to reuse the content. Author of the German version is Carolin Becklas Dorow (Technische Informationsbibliothek, ORCID). Graphics used in the course are created by Jonas Hauss and are also available for reuse under a CC BY license. Translated by the author.

    

    This course was created in March 2026 as a part of the open-access.network 3 project, funded by the German Federal Ministry of Research, Technology and Space (BMFTR) 2026-2028.

     

    
    
    

  • Select activity Organizational Information

    

    Organizational Information Page

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  • Select activity Introduction

    

    Introduction Page

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• Select section Module 1 – What is Predatory Publishing?

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  Module 1 – What is Predatory Publishing?

  • Select activity Content of this Module

    Module 1 – What is Predatory Publishing? – Content

    

    This module:

    • explores the development of scholarly publishing,
    • provides a brief introduction to Open Access (including its funding models), and
    • gives a definition of predatory journals.

    
    

     

  • Select activity A Brief History and Forms of Predatory Publishing

    

    A Brief History and Forms of Predatory Publishing Page

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  • Select activity Open Access: Concepts, Principles, and Funding

    

    Open Access: Concepts, Principles, and Funding Page
  • Select activity What are Predatory Journals?

    

    What are Predatory Journals? Page
  • Select activity Quiz: "What is Predatory Publishing?"

    

    Quiz: "What is Predatory Publishing?"

    Completion

    Students must

    

    Receive a grade

    

    Receive a passing grade
• Select section Module 2: Recognizing Warning Signs

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  Module 2: Recognizing Warning Signs

  • Select activity Content of this Module

    Module 2 - Recognizing Warning Signs - Content

    

    In this module, you'll learn how to identify the typical traits of predatory journals and publishers. While these publishers often attempt to present themselves as professional, they consistently exhibit certain patterns. The aim of this module is to help you develop a keen sense for recognizing these patterns.

  • Select activity Recognizing Warning Signs of Predatory Journals

    

    Recognizing Warning Signs of Predatory Journals Page

    Completion

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  • Select activity Fake Editorial Boards and Fabricated Impact Factors

    

    Fake Editorial Boards and Fabricated Impact Factors Page
  • Select activity Predatory Email Invitations

    

    Predatory Email Invitations Page
  • Select activity Exercise: “You have (1) new message.”

    

    Exercise: “You have (1) new message.” Interactive Content
• Select section Module 3 – Risks and Consequences of Predatory Publishing

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  Module 3 – Risks and Consequences of Predatory Publishing

  • Select activity Content of this Module

    Module 3 - Risks and Consequences of Predatory Publishing - Content

    Predatory publishing is not a harmless nuisance; it can have serious and long-term consequences for individual researchers, institutions, and the scientific community as a whole. In this module, you will learn about the risks associated with publishing in predatory journals and why careful journal selection is a core component of good scientific practice.

  • Select activity Risks and Consequences of Predatory Publishing

    

    Risks and Consequences of Predatory Publishing Page

    Completion

    Students must

    

    Mark as done
  • Select activity Exercise: "Publication Scarytales"

    

    Exercise: "Publication Scarytales" Interactive Content
• Select section Module 4 – Evaluation Tools and Checklist

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  Module 4 – Evaluation Tools and Checklist

  • Select activity Content of this Module

    Module 4 – Evaluation Tools and Checklists – Content

    

     

    In the previous modules, you explored what predatory publishing is, how to recognize warning signs of questionable journals, and the potential consequences of publishing in a predatory outlet. This module takes the next step by focusing on how to systematically assess whether a journal is trustworthy. We will introduce a range of established evaluation tools, directories, and checklists that support researchers in this process. With the help of these tools, you will be able to make informed and confident decisions about where to publish your scientific work.

     
  • Select activity Is the Journal a Good Fit for Your Research?

    

    Is the Journal a Good Fit for Your Research? Page
  • Select activity Established Tools, Directories, and Checklists

    

    Established Tools, Directories, and Checklists Page

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  • Select activity Additional Evaluation Steps

    

    Additional Evaluation Steps Page
  • Select activity Exercise: “Half Checked, Twice Regretted”

    

    Exercise: “Half Checked, Twice Regretted” Interactive Content
• Select section Module 5 – Courses of Action

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  Module 5 – Courses of Action

  • Select activity Content of this Module

    Module 5 – Courses of Action – Content

    

     

    This module focuses on what you can do if you have unknowingly published in a predatory journal. Its aim is to reduce uncertainty and to highlight practical courses of action.
  • Select activity What to Do If You Have Already Published in a Predatory Journal

    

    What to Do If You Have Already Published in a Predatory Journal Page

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    Mark as done
  • Select activity Five Steps That Can Help

    

    Five Steps That Can Help Page
  • Select activity Exercise: “What to Do After Publishing in a Predatory Journal?”

    

    Exercise: “What to Do After Publishing in a Predatory Journal?” Interactive Content
• Select section Online Consultation Session on May 4, 2026

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  Online Consultation Session on May 4, 2026

  • Select activity Would you like to exchange ideas with others on this topic?

    Would you like to exchange ideas with others on this topic?

     

    On behalf of the open-access.network project, we invite you to join an online consultation session to discuss the course content and share your personal experiences with predatory publishing.

     

    🗓️Monday, May 4, 2026, from 2:00–3:00 PM (CET)

    👤For researchers and other interested participants

    💻Webex meeting  (Please note: participation requires a microphone and camera.)

     

    This online session offers an opportunity to connect with other researchers and interested participants. You will be able to share your experiences related to the topic and the self-paced course, meet the course author, and ask questions or raise comments.

    
    

    💬 The online session will be held in German. Questions and comments in English are also welcome.
    

     

    To help us prepare the session, we kindly ask you to register in advance using this registration form.

     

    

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

    Note

    Completion of the course is not required to participate, but it is recommended.

  • Select activity Registration for the Online Consultation Session

    

    Registration for the Online Consultation Session Feedback
  • Select activity Online Session

    

    Online Session Page
• Select section Conclusion & Summary

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  Conclusion & Summary

  • Select activity Congratulations!

    

  • Select activity Summary

    

    Summary Page

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  • Select activity Further Reading and Resources

    

    Further Reading and Resources Page

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