Choosing a reputable journal or publisher is an important part of the research process. While many open access journals publish high-quality, peer-reviewed scholarship, some publishers engage in deceptive, unethical, or unprofessional practices.

Use the guidance below when evaluating:

  • Journals and publishers as potential publication venues
  • Invitations to review manuscripts
  • Invitations to join editorial boards
  • Conference invitations
  • Requests to publish your thesis

There is no single criterion that indicates whether or not a publication is reputable. Instead, look for a cumulative effect of more positives or more negatives. If you have additional questions, contact your liaison librarian.

Signs of a reputable journal or publisher

Warning signs of predatory or questionable publishers

  • Journal website is difficult to locate or identify
  • Information about the publisher is missing or incomplete
  • Author guidelines are unavailable
  • Information about peer review or copyright is absent or unclear
  • Journal scope statement is absent, vague, or extremely broad
  • No information is provided about the publisher, or the information provided does not clearly indicate a relationship to a mission to disseminate research content
  • The same authors appear repeatedly within the same issue
  • Publisher has a negative reputation (e.g., documented examples in Chronicle of Higher Education, email lists, etc.)
  • You receive frequent unsolicited emails requesting submissions
  • The publisher falsely claims impact factors or indexing status, or describes itself as a "leading academic publisher" without evidence
  • The publisher or journal title closely resembles that of a respected publisher, society, or journal in order to create confusion
  • Articles appear to have been accepted with little or no peer review

Evaluating thesis publication offers

Be cautious when responding to unsolicited invitations to publish your thesis.

Before signing any agreement, consider the following questions:

  • Is the editorial process clearly explained?
  • Does the publication include peer review?
  • Is the proposed publication timeline unusually short?
  • Is there an editorial board, and are its members qualified scholars?
As the author of your thesis, you retain copyright and may enter into separate publishing agreements. However, carefully review any contract before signing. Avoid transferring copyright to vanity presses or illegitimate publishers without fully understanding the terms.

Further reading

Suspect the legitimacy of a publisher, journal, or conference?

If you receive an invitation or encounter a publication that raises concerns, take time to verify its legitimacy before responding.

Consult your liaison librarian

Your liaison librarian can:

  • Investigate the legitimacy of journals, publishers, and conferences
  • Help identify potentially deceptive publishing practices
  • Recommend reputable publication venues in your discipline

Seek advice from colleagues

Talk with researchers and subject experts in your field. Their experience can help you identify trustworthy publication opportunities and avoid problematic publishers.

Use evaluation tools and checklists

Consider using the following resources:

Thanks to Grand Valley State University for permission to adapt and reuse Open Access Journal Quality Indicators.