How can authors differentiate between Open Access Journals and predatory journals?

1. Differentiate between Open Access Journals and Predatory Journals Technology has changed the way people used to access information. Scholars and authors rely heavily on the internet to gather important data and information to prepare their research paper. With the advent of Open Access Journals, nowadays authors have unrestricted access to scientific journals or manuscripts uploaded online. Open Access Journals offer a common platform to authors where they can access journals at no extra cost and include evidence and source material in their manuscript. This helps the authors and research community connect using a common platform. The main purpose of providing Open Access Journals is to support the dissemination of verified and unbiased research information and improve the standards of journal publishing. An important part of writing an engineering research paper is to conduct a study on the research papers that have already been published in a similar subject area. Authors can also contribute to the Open Access Journals by submitting a piece of research article or thesis. The authors are required to pay a sum of money to get published in Open Access Journals. In practice, the article is reviewed for quality and after that it is published, making it available for readers. In return, the Open Access Journals charge a fee from the author and promote the author’s work for the target audience.

2. For authors publishing their academic research paper online, it is beneficial as it is a cost- effective method and allows them to reach out to the right segment of the target audience. The target audience can access the research paper worldwide. However, with the increase in the total number of online journals, finding a reliable open access journal can be extremely difficult. The term predatory journal was coined by Jeffrey Be all in the year 2010. The term was used to describe the journals that publish the research work done by authors without their consent. What Is a Predatory Journal? A predatory journal publishing journal that exploits authors by charging money for publishing and never publishes the article. Predatory journal publishers represent themselves as credible journals by creating a website with false information and convincing authors to submit their work. The main purpose of such type of predatory journal publishers is to earn money. Predatory publishers do not have any editorial board and also engage themselves in unethical business practices. Before submitting a manuscript, the authors should look for telltale signs on whether the journal is credible or a predatory. Here is what an Author can do to Determine a Journal’s Credibility: Check whether the academic articles published in the journal are already published in other journals or not. Check whether due credits are given to the articles published in the journal. Review and verify the type of content and information available on the submission website. Check the quality of language used in the website and journal. Make sure that the publisher is charging for the manuscript only on acceptance for publishing. Know whether there is any type of academic paper editing service offered. Ensure that the type of articles published is either scientific or academic. Verify the contact details given on the site. Check whether the information provided about the editorial board is valid and completed. Check whether information about the submission and formatting guidelines is correct and complete. If an author wants to submit their research paper or manuscript to an open access journal, they should conduct thorough research to find out more about the type of content published in the journal. They can gain ample information by simply going through the website’s submission and privacy policies.

3. How Could Authors Check Whether a Journal is Predatory or Not? Collecting information about the editorial board and review process is a highly effective way of checking whether the journal is predatory or not. The editors must have an academic background and experience in the same field of study. If the journal publishing company has not mentioned clear fee and submission instructions on the site, then in all probability the journal might be predatory. The authors should check the journal’s indexing and other relevant details. Another way of identifying a predatory journal is by checking the links available on the site. Predatory journals are not at all interested in publishing research papers. Their sole aim is to extort money from the authors. Publishers of the predatory journals offer no support or guidance to the authors. They do not follow a process for screening and assessing the manuscript. Keeping such things in mind will help authors make a well-informed decision. Author Assists offers a wide range of scholarly editing and translation solutions at a great price.