[1] Conduct
a Thorough Background Check: Start by researching the journal in question.
Look for information about its publisher, editorial board, and peer-review
process. Reputable journals usually provide clear and transparent information
about these aspects on their websites. Cloned journals often have fake publishers.
To check the publisher, you can look for the journal's website and see if it is
listed on the publisher's website. You can also try to contact the publisher
directly to verify that they are the real publisher of the journal.
[2] Examine
the Journal's Website and Content: Pay attention to the website design,
layout, and overall quality. Cloned journals often mimic the appearance of
legitimate journals, but they may have poorly designed websites or contain
grammatical errors and typos. Analyse the published articles and assess their
quality and scientific rigor. Look for any signs of plagiarism or recycled
content.
[3] Check
the Journal's Indexing and Impact factor: Consult relevant indexing
databases like Web of Science, Scopus, or PubMed to verify if the journal is
indexed. Reputable journals usually strive to be included in well-established
indexing databases. Additionally, check the journal's impact factor, if
available. Predatory journals often claim to have unrealistically high impact
factors or manipulate metrics to appear more reputable. Cloned journals
are often not indexed in reputable databases. To check the indexing, you can
look for the journal's website and see if it is listed in any reputable
databases. You can also try to find the journal in a library and see if it is
indexed in any databases.
[4] Verify
Editorial Board: Look for information about the journal's editorial board
members. Search for their names, affiliations, and areas of expertise.
Reputable researchers typically have a strong presence in their respective
fields and are associated with well-known institutions. Be cautious if the
editorial board is composed of individuals with questionable credentials or if
their affiliations are unknown or suspicious. Cloned journals often
have fake editors or reviewers. To verify the editor or reviewers, you can look
for their names on the journal's website and see if they are listed on any
other reputable journals. You can also try to contact the editor or reviewers
directly to verify that they are the real editor or reviewers of the journal.
[5] Check
the Number of Volumes Published: Cloned journals often have a very low
number of volumes published. To check the number of volumes published, you can
look for the journal's website and see how many volumes have been published.
You can also try to find the journal in a library and see how many volumes are
available.
[6] Assess
Peer - Review Process: A robust peer-review process is essential for
maintaining the quality of scholarly journals. Investigate whether the journal
clearly outlines its peer-review policy and process. Lack of transparency or
claims of rapid or no peer review can be red flags. Cloned journals often
have a very quick review process. To check the review process, you can look for
the journal's website and see how long it takes for articles to be reviewed.
You can also try to find out if the journal has a double-blind review process.
[7] Seek
Advice from Colleagues and Experts: Reach out to your peers, colleagues, or
mentors who have experience in publishing and scholarly communication. They
might be able to provide insights or share their knowledge about the specific
journal you are investigating.
[8] Consult
Reputable Resources and Directories: Several resources are available that list
reputable journals and publishers, such as the Directory of Open Access
Journals (DOAJ) or the Cabell's Blacklist/Whitelist. These
resources can help you identify potential cloned or predatory journals.
Here are some additional tips to help you avoid publishing
in a cloned journal:
[A] Do your research. Before you submit your article to a journal, take
some time to research the journal and its publisher. Make sure that the journal
is reputable and that it has a good reputation for publishing high-quality
research.
[B] Be wary of journals that charge high fees. Reputable journals
typically do not charge authors to publish their articles. If a journal is
charging a high fee, it is a red flag that the journal may be predatory.
[C] Be wary of journals that have a quick turnaround time. Reputable
journals typically have a rigorous review process that can take several months
or even years. If a journal is offering to publish your article quickly, it is
a red flag that the journal may be predatory.
[D] Be wary of journals that do not have a clear peer review process.
Reputable journals typically have a double-blind peer review process, which
means that the reviewers do not know the identity of the authors and the
authors do not know the identity of the reviewers. If a journal does not have a
clear peer review process, it is a red flag that the journal may be predatory.
By following these tips, you
can help to avoid publishing in a cloned journal and protect your academic
reputation. Remember, the process of identifying a cloned journal requires
careful investigation and critical thinking. It's important to evaluate
multiple factors and consider a combination of evidence before drawing
conclusions
