The Dolos list (https://www.professeur-alexandre-georges.info/dolos-list) is a new list of predator magazines and publishers. It is a resource for researchers to avoid being scammed by these companies and for the general public to identify sources of false scientific information.
Anonymous reports
The Dolos list works well. Last week, nearly 40 predatory journals and publishers were added to the list by my team, based solely on reports.
If we propose to researchers to anonymously report the publishers they consider predators, it is because of the risks that a non-anonymous report represents. A reporting issuer would be exposed, if its contribution was public, to threats, pressure, harassment, and discrediting campaigns. Living this everyday, I can understand that other researchers do not want to expose themselves. Predatory publishing generates a lot of profit and, like any fraudulent business sector, it is capable of many pathetic actions to preserve its income.
Researchers who have already published in predatory journals
One thing that surprised me, however, is the extent to which the researchers who have published in these journals are determined to defend them. I do not think it's a matter of gratitude for publishing their article, but because they are afraid that criticism of these journals will hurt their work and therefore their reputation. This is quite understandable. But we must not forget that these researchers are the first victims of these companies. Many well-established researchers have already been fooled by predatory publishing and this does not make them incompetent researchers, just scam victims. It is unfortunate that quality papers are ignored because they are published in bad journals and this is one of the main reasons why it is necessary for predatory publishing to disappear and for the scientific publishing sector to maintain its rigor and seriousness.
Conclusion
I will continue to publish the Dolos list and I appreciate help from researchers who write to me. Although I do not process all reports, be sure that I read all your messages while my team is processing your requests.
Sincerely yours,
Alexandre.
Hi,
A list of this kind is most needed and could be useful . We are exposed to too much confusion in the world of scientific publishing these days, and some guidance is always welcomed.
yes sure. It gives caution to the scientific community. It is hardwork done for the benefit of the whole academic and scientific community
I welcome the DOLOS initiative, it is absolutely necessary to stem the spread of predatory publications. I would also like to consider the phenomenon of plagiarism. This is increasingly common, voluntarily or involuntary. In my opinion, the authors at least are responsible for the slightest superficiality and misuse (or non-use) of information owned by others; the “peer reviewers” and Editors at least are responsible of insufficient competence regarding the topics dealt with in the works submitted to them
Hi,
A list of this kind is most needed and could be useful . We are exposed to too much confusion in the world of scientific publishing these days, and some guidance is always welcomed.
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