Think you can spot predatory journals from a mile away?

I thought so too. But I was wrong—and let me tell you why.

The Uncomfortable Truth: I Was an Editor for One

Yes, me. A researcher with over 30 publications to my name (in 2015/16). Someone who had been through the process enough times to know better. And yet, somehow, I was duped.

It happened early in my career, at a time when I was eager to build my CV, make my mark. And maybe, just maybe, the pressure of building my resume for an EB1 visa clouded my judgment. The visa application had a category for “being the judge of others’ work”, so this was an area I was looking to build.

I had accepted the position of the Editor-In-Chief. The journal seemed legit at first. Submissions started coming in. But the writing was… shaky. Red flags popped up, but I convinced myself that with enough effort, I could clean up the submissions and bring the journal up to standard. So, I worked hard to polish these manuscripts, to make them acceptable. But here’s the hard truth: they weren’t.

It didn’t take long for the warning signs to multiply. It became clear that this journal wasn’t legitimate. When I fully understood what I had stepped into, I resigned immediately.

What I Learned From My Mistake

Looking back, it’s painfully obvious that I should have seen it coming. What stings even more is realizing that the authors who submitted their work likely didn’t know what they were walking into either. Most of the papers were scientifically sound (often not with good writing). So some of these researchers were robbed of their opportunity to publish in a reputable journal.

So, if you’ve ever thought, “I’ll never fall for a predatory journal,” think again. Even seasoned professionals can get fooled. And this was before the ChatGPT era—when the papers were definitely written by a human.

I’m sharing this because I don’t want you to make the same mistake I did.

How to Protect Yourself

If you ever find yourself unsure about a journal, here are the 2 simple steps to safeguard your work and reputation:

Step 1: Make sure the Journal is NOT on the Predatory Journals List❌

• Beall’s List: A well-known resource that flags predatory journals.
• DGPI List: Another resource identifying disreputable publications.

Step 2: Make sure the Journal is Listed on Reputable Medical Databases✔️

• PubMed: Always check if the journal is indexed here.
• Embase: Another key database that lists credible journals.

And while Google Scholar is a useful tool, it includes every journal out there—predatory or not. Be cautious.

If a journal isn’t indexed in PubMed or Embase, that’s your first red flag. One thing to keep in mind though: newer journals may not be indexed yet, but that doesn’t always mean they’re predatory. Do your homework, and always question if a journal feels off.

Your Credibility is on the Line

At the end of the day, your research is your legacy. Don’t risk it on a journal that promises quick acceptance or seems too eager to publish your work. Double-check everything. Take control of your publishing future by verifying your sources, cross-referencing databases, and being skeptical of anything that seems too good to be true.

Don’t get fooled like I did. Learn from my experience, and safeguard your career.

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This Week’s Action Step: Take 5 minutes today to check the journals you’re considering for your next manuscript. Visit Beall’s List, PubMed, or Embase to verify their credibility. Taking these 2 simple steps could save you months—or even years—of regret.

That’s it for today. See you next week!