Skip to Main Content

Scholarly Publishing Resources

Periodical directories

Journal rankings

Journal quality

Journal acceptance rates

Finding a publisher for your book

Altmetrics

Predatory publishers

Ways to identify predatory journals:

  • Always check the website thoroughly. Note especially any spelling or grammar errors.
  • Check the journal's contact information. The contact information is clear and accurate.
  • Check to see if the journal is a member of DOAJ, COPE, OASPA, or STM.
  • Research the editorial board. The editorial board is comprised of scholars with verifiable credentials.
  • Take a look at the peer review process and publication timelines. The peer review process should be described and the publication timeline should allow time for proper review.
  • Read through past issues of the journal. Look for markers of legitimate scholarly publication like verifiable scholarly authors and abstracts.
  • The scope of the journal's subject matter is narrowly defined.

Ways to identify predatory book publishers:

  • Reading costs. Genuine publishers won't ask for money to review your book.
  • Self-purchasing. Genuine publishers won't require you to buy copies of your own book.

Muhlenberg College open access

Publishers' copyright policies and self-archiving

Adjust your publisher contract for open access