some of the predatory journals or beall listed journals having an impressive peer-review process. So, can we mention them in our CV as a highlighted point in our pursuit of a Ph.D. or MSc program in the USA or Canada? (It will be better if someone from USA or Canada, who are associated with research would answer my questions in details)
Dear Danish,
I am not from the USA nor Canada but I feel I can relate with your situation. I would say 'Yes' to your question because I have published in a journal listed by Beall as a predatory before. Surprisingly, the article in question is one of the articles with highest number of citations (currently 49 citations) on my google scholar. The article is still being listed on my CV and haven't faced any question on it, though I have also published a number of journal articles in Scopus and other recognised journal databases. Beall list cannot be taken as an all-inclusive one when we talk about predatory journals as it has attracted some criticisms (perhaps the reason why it was brought down).Professors do know that one can be caught it the web of ignorance about predatory publications, especially during the time one is emerging as a scholar and I can tell you that renowned scholars without this predatory publication experience are few.
I agree with Sunday. Some would argue that 'a publication is a publication'. Obviously, some 'predatory' journals are better than others and may have a legitimate ranking. Also - the notion of citation is important for overall impact. The secret is to be mindful of this for future submission.
I am not sure how you can detect whether a journal actually does have "an impressive peer-review process." No journal is ever going to tell you that their peer reviewer process is essentially phony -- although any journal that promises a two-week turn around is probably in that category.
I agree that issue of citations is very important. So, I would examine the journal in question to locate articles in your field from 2-3 years ago, and then check to see if they have been getting citations.
Many would agree with listing all publications. For many positions, you will be asked to provide a copy of your publication and that would provide the hiring committee a chance to review your work themselves.
I would avoid future publications in journals that are suspected of being predatory.
If you list a past publication in your CV, be prepared with a defence or rationale for submitting to that publisher, in case you are ever questioned.
To be sure, if a journal has an adequate peer review process, can it then be so-called "predatory"? It seems to me that an inadequate or unethical peer review would be essential for a journal to be considered predatory. If one goes only by the price the researchers have to pay, I am sure certain known high-influence (and high on impact Factor) do go for your money. I do believe in most cases those do not face the highest costs in terms of digital publishing, and many of them have extra income selling subscriptions.
There is much debate, but I do think what makes the difference is ethics in peer-reviewing and publishing.
Perhaps that is where standards should be the differential. Some starting magazines have it harder, and, to be sure, are we to say all low-impact journals are predatory?
I once wrote on RG platform, about a similar issue that, should we take all journals listed in Beall's list as bin journals...the question is, I saw some journals with good IF and even with good citation reports on WoS, but to my surprise they were listed in the Beall's. Are all journals listed actually found wanting against due review process?. Perhaps, one or two irregularities, as Beall list actually categorize them based on their infringement against review process. Meanwhile, I am not advocating for shunning this cautionary list against some journals. But, is it not possible to publish in a 'dignified' journal and later find it listed afterwards, should Beall and co find it opposing due process?. https://www.researchgate.net/post/Is_Bealls_list_of_predatory_journals_and_Publishers_still_trustworthy
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