Introduction
In the world of academic publishing, researchers—especially PhD scholars—often face the dilemma of choosing the right journal for their work. With increasing pressure to publish, many turn to paid publication options. However, not all paid journals are created equal. A crucial distinction must be made between legitimate paid journals and predatory journals. Failing to recognise the difference can damage a scholar’s academic credibility and career prospects. This blog aims to demystify the differences between the two, especially in the Indian research context.
Understanding Paid Publication
Paid publication, also known as Article Processing Charges (APC), is a common practice in open access journals. These fees support the publishing infrastructure—peer review, editing, and online access—while allowing the research to be freely available to readers. Not all reputable journals charge APCs, but many do, especially in the open access model. Journals indexed in Scopus, Web of Science, or listed in UGC-CARE may charge fees but still maintain rigorous editorial standards and a transparent review process.
Legitimate paid journals typically have a structured peer-review process, clear publication timelines, and are transparent about their fees. They list qualified editorial board members with institutional affiliations and provide comprehensive contact information. These journals usually allow authors to retain copyright under open access licenses. Importantly, they are indexed in credible academic databases.
What Are Predatory Journals?
Predatory journals are deceptive and unethical. They often pose as legitimate scholarly journals but lack any genuine peer-review process, editorial integrity, or recognised indexing. These journals prey on early-career researchers and scholars under pressure to publish. They usually guarantee quick acceptance and publication—for a fee—with little regard for academic standards.
Such journals often send unsolicited emails aggressively soliciting submissions. They make false claims about indexing, have unverifiable or fake editorial boards, and mimic the names of respected journals. Their websites may lack valid contact details or proper publication archives. The review process is often either non-existent or superficial, and acceptance is almost always guaranteed.
Recognising the Differences
There are several key indicators to differentiate between a legitimate paid journal and a predatory one.
First, examine the peer-review process. Legitimate journals follow a rigorous and time-bound peer-review protocol and are open about how this process works. In contrast, predatory journals either skip peer review altogether or perform it in a non-transparent manner.
Second, consider indexing. Journals listed in trusted databases like UGC-CARE, Scopus, Web of Science, or PubMed have met certain quality benchmarks. Predatory journals usually claim to be indexed in such platforms but are not. It is essential to verify such claims through official indexing websites.
Third, look at the editorial board. Reputable journals disclose their editors, who are established academics affiliated with universities or research institutions. Predatory journals may list fictitious names or real academics without their consent.
Fourth, review communication and solicitation practices. While genuine journals might issue occasional calls for papers, predatory journals often flood researchers’ inboxes with flattering or urgent invitations to publish.
Finally, check the publication timeline. Legitimate journals usually take weeks or even months to review and publish an article, whereas predatory journals may promise publication in a few days.
Why Indian Scholars Need to Be Cautious
In India, academic promotions and doctoral degree requirements often demand publications in UGC-CARE-listed journals. Due to this pressure, some researchers, particularly early-stage scholars, fall into the trap of predatory publishing—sometimes unknowingly. This leads to several negative consequences.
Publications in predatory journals are usually rejected during academic reviews and may not count toward fulfilling degree or promotion criteria. They can also damage a researcher’s academic reputation, lead to wastage of time and resources, and potentially raise ethical concerns around plagiarism or data falsification. In extreme cases, universities may reject theses or disqualify candidates based on such publications.
How to Identify and Avoid Predatory Journals
There are several practical steps scholars can take to avoid predatory journals:
- Verify indexing: Use the official UGC-CARE website or Scopus database to confirm whether a journal is listed. Do not rely solely on what the journal claims.
- Check peer review policies: Reputable journals explain their review process in detail, including stages, timelines, and reviewer responsibilities.
- Investigate the editorial board: Google the names of listed editors. If they are real academics, their affiliations and credentials should be verifiable.
- Review published articles: Reading previously published papers can help assess the quality and legitimacy of the journal.
- Assess the website: A credible journal website will have clear information about aims, scope, editorial policies, ethics, APCs, and contact details.
- Avoid unrealistic promises: If a journal promises guaranteed acceptance, very fast publication, or uses overly flattering language to invite submissions, it is likely predatory.
- Use tools and checklists: Refer to global initiatives like Think. Check. Submit. for guidance on selecting the right journal.
Conclusion
The distinction between paid publication and predatory publishing is crucial for every academic, especially PhD scholars navigating the pressures of publishing. Paying for publication is not unethical if the journal is transparent, peer-reviewed, and indexed in recognised databases. However, falling prey to a predatory journal can seriously harm one’s academic journey.
Indian scholars must be proactive in assessing the legitimacy of journals. A single publication in a disreputable journal can undermine years of hard work. By taking the time to understand the difference, checking every detail carefully, and consulting credible sources, researchers can ensure their work gets published in places that genuinely contribute to their field.