Predatory journals exploit the open-access pay-to-publish model and frequently target researchers in the Global South and from less-resourced institutions, who face strong publication pressure but limited access to recognised venues. The 2019 Nature consensus definition (Grudniewicz et al.) identifies four core features: prioritise self-interest at the expense of scholarship; false or misleading information; deviation from best editorial and publication practices; lack of transparency. From a knowledge-equity perspective, predatory journals reproduce and worsen inequalities by extracting fees, polluting the literature, and damaging the credibility of legitimate Global-South publishing. Effective response combines education, indexes (DOAJ Whitelist, COPE membership), institutional guidance and structural reform reducing publish-or-perish pressure.
References
- Grudniewicz A et al. 'Predatory journals: no definition, no defence' Nature 576:210-212, 2019. Think.Check.Submit (thinkchecksubmit.org). COPE guidelines.