New UKB guide on predatory and questionable publishing practices

In today’s world of scholarly communication, publishers still play an important role. They handle crucial tasks like peer review, editorial support, and making research accessible to the wider community. Choosing the right publisher is key, as it can boost a researcher's visibility and ensure their findings have a real impact.

Additionally, today’s research landscape is populated by a plethora of publishing options. While this offers great opportunities, it might also pose some risks when it comes to selecting the right venue. One of the biggest threats is predatory publishing. Predatory publishers claim to offer a full publishing service and end up exploiting researchers by charging high fees for low-quality or non-existent services, for instance quality assurance and long-term preservation.

To help scholars steer clear of these pitfalls, a team of open access experts from Dutch universities has put together a comprehensive guide. This guide equips authors with practical advice on spotting reputable publishers, avoiding predatory practices, and dealing with any issues that may arise along the way. Moreover, the guide is aimed at responding to early career researchers' concerns. By arming researchers with the knowledge they need to make informed decisions about where to publish, this guide aims to uphold the integrity of scholarly communication and ensure that research make a meaningful impact on society. The “Predatory and Questionable Publishing Practices: How to Recognise and Avoid Them” guide is available here.

If you need help in selecting the right option to publish your work, or have doubts about the reliability of a publisher, don’t hesitate to contact openaccess@tilburguniversity.edu.