Inquiry Form about "Predatory Journals"

It is very difficult to determine whether a journal (or publisher) is a "Predatory Journal" (or "Predatory Pulisher"), and it is important to make a comprehensive judgment based on a variety of information sources. If you have even the slightest doubt about the journal to which you are submitting your paper, please do not submit it, but rather make a comprehensive review and judgment based on a variety of information sources. We accept questions and information about Predatory Journals.　　　

  • Question: If you have any doubts about your decision when considering where to submit your work, please do not hesitate to ask. We will research and respond with information that will help you make a decision.
  • Reporting: If you find anything suspicious in the submission or peer review process, please let us know. We will accumulate cases and use them as a reference for our work.

The content of your questions and reports will be compiled in a form that removes personal information and will be used to support your research. We appreciate your cooperation.

Please visit our website "Caution Regarding Predatory Journals". It will show you detailed information and educational leaflet.

Check Before Submission & Peer Review

Ask Other Researchers

Ask researchers in the same or similar fields about the journal's reputation and whether involvement with the journal would be beneficial to your research career.
Are there any comments about the journal's quality on social networking sites?

 

See the Official Website

Google the journal's official website yourself and check it.
Do NOT use a link in invitation email.
Is the period of the peer review too short? Is there anything suspicious about the website logo, such as poor image resolution or a distorted layout?
The website called SciRev enables users to check the total peer review times for individual journals It can be used to get an overall impression of current peer review times.

Reference: The average peer review periods

Total First response time
All 17 weeks 13 weeks
Natural Sciences 14 weeks 11 weeks
Humanities 22 weeks 16 weeks

Huisman, J., Smits, J. Duration and quality of the peer review process: the author's perspective. Scientometrics113, 633–650 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11192-017-2310-5 Processed Table 1 and 2.

 

Read Previous Articles

Read previous articles published in the journal.
Do they match the scope of coverage stated on the official website?
Does the quality of the articles indicate a journal worthy of publishing your own research?

 

Check the Editor's Profile

Are the editors listed on the official website researchers that you have heard of, or researchers in the field that you want to contribute to?
Does the editor's own official website (e.g. the website of their university) clearly state that he/she is an editor of the journal?

※Only Kyoto University members can use this form.

If the inquiry form doesn't work well, please contact to below.
Email:  pj at mail2.adm.kyoto-u.ac.jp　*Replace at with @

    About Predatory Journals

    Your Name *

    Faculty/Department *

    Status *


    e.g. Undergraduate Student / Graduate(Master) / Graduate(Doctor) / Research Student / Research Fellow / Faculty / Staff / Professor Emeritus / Graduate School / Other / Non-KU members

    Email address * KUmail/KUMOI address preferred.

    Phone number *

    Inquiry type *

    Question（You will get an answer.）Reporting（case collection only）

    May we ask for more details about the situation? (To accumulate and refer to the cases at KU.) *

    YesNo

    Suspicious Journal, Publisher (and its URL) *

    Select the type of your case *（Multiple answers allowed）

    Get numerous emails soliciting submissions.Considering submitting a paper but did not submit it/not sureHaving doubts after submitting the paper.Asked to become a reviewer, but I didn't accept/haven't decide yetHaving doubts after agreeing to be a peer reviewer.Asked to become on the editorial board but did not accept/haven't decide yet.Having doubts after agreeing to be on the editorial board.I was used my name as a reviewer or editorial board member without permission.Other researchers' experiences.Other (free description)*Please fill in the space below.

    Please describe in detail any suspicious points, actual problems you encountered, or questions you had.*

    Captcha: Anti-Spam *

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