I have decided to start this topic to warn all the researchers regarding the operational and working policy of the COGENT OA Series Journals by Taylor & Francis.
The publisher prides him self with their unique policy of PAY WHAT YOU CAN AFFORD "(Cogent OA was the first to introduce the Freedom Article Publishing Charge model, designed entirely with the author in mind. We make open access available to all by enabling researchers to select an APC that is appropriate based on individual funding and financial circumstances. Freedom Article Publishing Charges, pioneered by Cogent OA, allow authors to choose how much to contribute towards the publication of their research in an open access journal)."
Fraud to the foulest. Two of my papers, after being submitted somewhere else, were offered a transfer to COGENT series. I was told it would be a great opportunity to disseminate my work through their open access publication and pay what you can afford policy.
When I was so far to publish, I was informed I am due 1300$ per publication even do i have stated during my submission process that i can only pay a 100$ per paper.
After being confronted with the questions regarding their fee, they stated how this is their normal rate and only people from low income countries are entitle of 50% waiver. But even then, they are obliged to pay 650$. That is it. Its either or! Nothing else! I come from a middle income country and any further negotiation regarding waiver was completely denied. That is their price.
How is this pay what you can afford when they have standard APC and rates?
So all of you out there getting offers to publish in COGENT, be careful.
Best.
Indeed, it seems to be similar to other predatory journals and publishers that charge for poor quality research and employ volunteer reviewers without qualifications, see for example https://orgtheory.wordpress.com/2017/05/20/that-gender-studies-hoax-is-dumb-but-look-at-this-business-model/
Excellent link Helen Kopnina Thank you.
Apparently, they have been doing that for a long time
also this is useful (although the poor guy who compiled the list had to stop because of law suits): https://beallslist.weebly.com/
My recommendation is to go for free journals. Publishing process might be longer, but those journals charge no fees and care about the quality.
Hi Ratko, I had the same experience. I think the practice of editors/ editors-in chief promoting this through the backyard should be discouraged. Some editors/ editors- in chief tell you your article is best fit for their sister OA journal, when in deed you have read their scope before submitting your manuscript.
Cogent OA makes you believe, at first, that it is as you can afford, and then later pulls the real stuff.
In my case, I couldn't get my co-authors to contribute to that so called 50% reduction, which comes up to 650USD (a lot of money for researchers in developing countries). So, I had to withdraw the paper.
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