Publishing

• Research presses in your field by reviewing the publishers of works you’ve cited and by networking at conferences.
• The Association of University Presses Directory is a great place to start your publisher research.
• Paperback, hard cover, ebook? Some academic publishers have ebook options and others are much more prescriptive. Consider your desired format and price point. 
• Understand your author contract, including how it affects your copyright and intellectual property. You can find more information on understanding copyright here.
• Consider alternative models, such as Open Access, if they align with your publishing goals. There are many reputable Open Access book publishers and repositories, including the Directory of Open Access Books, Pressbooks Directory, Open Book Publishers, and Lever Press.
   

When evaluating a journal, consider the following characteristics as signs of legitimacy and scholarly rigor:

• Peer Review Transparency: Is the peer review process clearly described? Does the journal follow single-blind, double-blind, or open peer review? Are reviewer guidelines available?

• Editorial Board: Does the journal list real scholars (with institutional affiliations) on its editorial board? Are they known researchers in your field?

• Selectivity: While not the only marker of quality, a journal’s rejection rate — if publicly available — can offer insights into how selective and competitive the publication process is.

• Indexing and Discoverability: Is the journal indexed in reputable databases like Web of Science, Scopus, DOAJ, or PubMed? If not, it may be hard for other researchers to find and cite your work.

• Affiliation with a Professional Organization: Many trustworthy journals are affiliated with disciplinary societies or professional associations that have clear ethical standards.

• Clear Scope and Mission: Does the journal’s stated focus align with your research? Reputable journals have a well-defined and meaningful scope.

• Specific Author Guidelines: Legitimate publishers provide detailed information about formatting, submission requirements, copyright terms, timeline to publication, and an explanation of any fees involved.

• Ethical Standards and Policies: Look for clear policies around research ethics, conflicts of interest, corrections/retractions, and plagiarism.

• Publishing Frequency and Volume: Excessive numbers of issues or articles published per year may indicate low editorial standards or a focus on profit over quality.

• See for Yourself: Are the articles up to scholarly standards in writing, methodology, and citations? Would you cite them in your own work?

Avoid These Red Flags

If you see these, proceed with caution: 

• Unsolicited emails for submissions or board membership

• Vague titles (e.g.: Journal of Interdisciplinary Global Science)

• Emphasis on fast or guaranteed publication 

• Unverifiable or incomplete publisher contact information

• Website has errors or broken links

• No mention of peer review

• Unusually high publishing frequency 

• Submission fees (distinct from APCs) 

Below are a few tools that offer guidance on maintaining ethical standards and scholarly integrity in academic and research publishing:

Follow Retraction News

A 2025 news article exposes massive article retractions for five different Frontiers journals. 

Want to keep an eye on recent retractions? Check out Retractionwatch.com.

Reporting on Publishing Misconduct

A 2025 news article explains the current state of predatory publishing for academics and looks to its future. 

A 2025 news article explains the impact of fake scholarship from paper mills on today’s medical researchers.

For in-depth case studies on predatory publisher, paper mills and other research misconduct in the sciences, see Science Integrity Digest and For Better Science.