Predatory publishers exploit the open-access model by creating counterfeit journals, where authors pay for publication. Although charging fees is a legitimate business practice, it's crucial for publishers to provide quality publishing services in return. These dishonest publishers lack transparency and aim to deceive researchers, particularly those who are inexperienced in scholarly communication.
The Think. Check. Submit. website is designed to guide journal authors and prospective journal authors in the selection of reputable publishers and journals and offers researchers an array of resources aimed at promoting integrity, trust, and education in research and publications. Watch the step-by-step guide in a short video on selecting a reliable publisher for your work submission.
Some journals are completely open access and others are hybrid - both open access and with papers that are paywalled (where the author agress to sign over copyright). Publishers generally require article processing charges (APCs) and these can be many thousands of dollars.
Because there are charges, predatory publishers may be lurking. In October 2019 Cabells Scholarly Analytics noted they had 11,000 journal titles on their whitelist and 12,000 on their blacklist. Open access articles are typically published with Creative Commons licences. Consider choosing a licence that prohibits adaptation or commercial use of your work, or any other elements you may not want to agree to.
SMHS staff may have access to the Open Access Publication Fund - check the criteria with the application form. See links below:
Many publishers levy article publishing charges (APCs) to make articles freely available to read (open access). The Library has negotiated read and publish subscription agreements with publishers that cover APCs in our licences.
SMHS staff who have publications arising from research that is registered in RGS (the Research Governance System), may make application to cover an APC via an Open Access Publishing grant - see links below:
An increasing number of journals provide open access publication of articles with no article publishing fees.
These can be identified via the Directory of Open Access Journals.