Start Date
3-16-2020 1:45 PM
End Date
3-16-2020 3:15 PM
Keywords
deceptive journals, deceptive publishers, deceptive conferences, so-called "predatory" publishers, scholarly communication, scholarly publishing
Description of Proposal
This train-the-trainers presentation models one way to teach students about deceptive journals and conferences. It was developed expressly for graduate students at the request of campus administrators. I have it taught it numerous times, promoting it with this description:
“As a researcher, you are eager to publish your work in journals and present at conferences. But don’t let your eagerness allow you to be fooled by fake (often called ‘predatory’) journals or conferences. These low-quality outlets exist for the sole purpose of profit, not for the dissemination of peer-reviewed research. Indeed, they frequently lie about their peer review practices and engage in other forms of deceit. Come learn how to spot these bad actors, and how to critically evaluate any journal or conference before submitting a paper or proposal.”
The workshop materials (slideshow and handouts) explain what deceptive journals and conferences are, why they exist, and how they operate. Attendees are urged not to turn to lists of bad actors but rather to evaluate journals and conferences themselves. Attendees are also encouraged to think critically about the pervasive use of the term “predatory,” as there are arguably more destructive predators in the scholarly communication ecosystem.
Workshop handout #1
I Spy a Fake Journal handout - GradLib2020.pdf (37 kB)
Workshop handout #2
Fake Journals and Conferences: What to Know about the Faux
This train-the-trainers presentation models one way to teach students about deceptive journals and conferences. It was developed expressly for graduate students at the request of campus administrators. I have it taught it numerous times, promoting it with this description:
“As a researcher, you are eager to publish your work in journals and present at conferences. But don’t let your eagerness allow you to be fooled by fake (often called ‘predatory’) journals or conferences. These low-quality outlets exist for the sole purpose of profit, not for the dissemination of peer-reviewed research. Indeed, they frequently lie about their peer review practices and engage in other forms of deceit. Come learn how to spot these bad actors, and how to critically evaluate any journal or conference before submitting a paper or proposal.”
The workshop materials (slideshow and handouts) explain what deceptive journals and conferences are, why they exist, and how they operate. Attendees are urged not to turn to lists of bad actors but rather to evaluate journals and conferences themselves. Attendees are also encouraged to think critically about the pervasive use of the term “predatory,” as there are arguably more destructive predators in the scholarly communication ecosystem.
What takeaways will attendees learn from your session?
Attendees will experience and participate in a workshop about deceptive journals and conferences. They will gain a nuanced understanding of such journals and conferences and improve their evaluation skills. They will leave with slides and handouts that they may reuse or revise at their own institutions.