Identifying scam journals and conferences

Richard Watson ToddSoLA

Some cases

• A Thai ajarn going to present in Italy• An article published in an international

journal

Some cases

• A Thai ajarn going to present in Italy• An article published in an international

journal• US universities lecturer employment

conditions

Types of journal• Genuine academic journal

– In major database e.g. Scopus– No publishing costs– Well-known editor– High impact factor

• Scam journal– Not in major database– Open access– High publishing costs

• BUT some quality journals are pay-to-publish open-access

Identifying scam journals

• The publisher is on Beall’s list (http://scholarlyoa.com/publishers/)

• Publishing fee (normally in Author guidelines or Submission)

• Wide range of articles accepted• Journal description the same as other

journals

The publisher is on Beall’s list

Publishing fee

Wide range of articles accepted

Journal description the same as other journals

Journal description the same as other journals

• If a KMUTT staff member publishes in a scam journal:– Do NOT report the publication to the

university– Do NOT include the publication in any

faculty evaluation– Ask the Department Head to inform the

staff member

Types of conferences

• Genuine quality conferences• Tourism conferences• Fake conferences

Genuine quality conferences

• Organised by major academic organisation or university

• Specific area of interest• Well-published plenary speakers

Tourism conferences

• Very broad areas of interest• Emphasis on social events or tourism• Conference description the same as other

conferences• Publications in scam journals

Very broad areas of interestEmphasis on social events or tourism

Conference description the same as other conferences

Conference description the same as other conferences

Publications in scam journals

Fake conferences• Advertised by spam e-mail• Lots of different fees (e.g. charge for visa)• Non-existent hotel (check from Google

Streetview):

Conference funding

• Funding for conferences is expensive• Benefits from quality conferences justify

the expense• Tourism and fake conferences are a waste

of money

• List of recommended and prohibited conferences