Identifying Predatory Journals: A Practical Guide for Researchers.

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Title: Identifying Predatory Journals: A Practical Guide for Researchers.
Authors: Giray, Louie1,2 (AUTHOR) lggiray@mapua.edu.ph
Source: Annals of Biomedical Engineering. Aug2026, Vol. 54 Issue 8, p2365-2374. 10p.
Subjects: Predatory publishing, Research integrity, Scholarly communication, Education ethics, Professional peer review, Research ethics, Biomedical engineering
Abstract: Predatory journals are unethical publications that exploit researchers by charging fees without providing proper peer review or editorial oversight. They pose a serious threat to the integrity of scholarly communication, prioritizing profit over scholarship and disregarding ethical standards, which results in the dissemination of research that lacks quality and credibility. This guide offers researchers a practical framework to identify and avoid such deceptive publications, thereby protecting academic integrity and professional reputation. Key indicators of predatory journals include poor visual design, questionable content, and unethical business practices. Common red flags include unprofessional websites, grammatical errors, generic stock photos, and fabricated editorial credentials. Operational warnings include aggressive email solicitations promising rapid or guaranteed acceptance, vague or hidden article processing charges (APCs), and journal names that closely mimic reputable titles. Predatory journals also make false claims about indexing in databases like Scopus or PubMed and display fabricated impact factors. Researchers in biomedical engineering are particularly vulnerable to these risks because of the interdisciplinary nature of the field, intense publication pressure, and the increasing use of AI tools in manuscript preparation. The consequences of predatory publishing extend beyond individual careers; unvetted research compromises the evidence base for clinical translation and healthcare innovation. To mitigate these risks, researchers must verify journal claims through official sources and consult trusted colleagues or mentors. Although publishing in legitimate journals requires more time, it ensures the quality, integrity, and credibility of research. Institutions play a crucial role by providing training and encouraging stakeholders to prioritize publication quality over quantity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
Copyright of Annals of Biomedical Engineering is the property of Springer Nature and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites without the copyright holder's express written permission. Additionally, content may not be used with any artificial intelligence tools or machine learning technologies. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)
Database: Engineering Source
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  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Predatory+publishing%22">Predatory publishing</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Research+integrity%22">Research integrity</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Scholarly+communication%22">Scholarly communication</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Education+ethics%22">Education ethics</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Professional+peer+review%22">Professional peer review</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Research+ethics%22">Research ethics</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Biomedical+engineering%22">Biomedical engineering</searchLink>
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  Data: Predatory journals are unethical publications that exploit researchers by charging fees without providing proper peer review or editorial oversight. They pose a serious threat to the integrity of scholarly communication, prioritizing profit over scholarship and disregarding ethical standards, which results in the dissemination of research that lacks quality and credibility. This guide offers researchers a practical framework to identify and avoid such deceptive publications, thereby protecting academic integrity and professional reputation. Key indicators of predatory journals include poor visual design, questionable content, and unethical business practices. Common red flags include unprofessional websites, grammatical errors, generic stock photos, and fabricated editorial credentials. Operational warnings include aggressive email solicitations promising rapid or guaranteed acceptance, vague or hidden article processing charges (APCs), and journal names that closely mimic reputable titles. Predatory journals also make false claims about indexing in databases like Scopus or PubMed and display fabricated impact factors. Researchers in biomedical engineering are particularly vulnerable to these risks because of the interdisciplinary nature of the field, intense publication pressure, and the increasing use of AI tools in manuscript preparation. The consequences of predatory publishing extend beyond individual careers; unvetted research compromises the evidence base for clinical translation and healthcare innovation. To mitigate these risks, researchers must verify journal claims through official sources and consult trusted colleagues or mentors. Although publishing in legitimate journals requires more time, it ensures the quality, integrity, and credibility of research. Institutions play a crucial role by providing training and encouraging stakeholders to prioritize publication quality over quantity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
– Name: AbstractSuppliedCopyright
  Label:
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  Data: <i>Copyright of Annals of Biomedical Engineering is the property of Springer Nature and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites without the copyright holder's express written permission. Additionally, content may not be used with any artificial intelligence tools or machine learning technologies. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract.</i> (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)
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        Value: 10.1007/s10439-026-04231-5
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      – SubjectFull: Education ethics
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