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

Many researchers only realize afterwards that they have unintentionally published in a predatory journal. Such cases are quite common: in a global survey (Elliott 2022, published in Learned Publishing), 22% of nearly 2,000 respondents reported having published in a predatory journal. More than 80% of them were simply unaware that such journals existed.

To date, there is no universally established “gold standard” for handling such a case. The following guidance outlines recommended steps if you discover that you have published in a predatory journal (see also How to respond to and what to do for papers published in predatory journals?).