Open access publishers

More and more publishers are offering options for open access publishing. But, not all open access journals or platforms are of the same quality. This page tells you how to recognise reliable publishers and predatory publishers. 

Recognise reliable publishers

Journal publishers

Reliable magazines meet strict quality criteria. You recognise reliable publishers in several ways:

1. The publisher appears in one of these databases:
   • UU Journal Browser (for open access journals)
   • Directory of Open Access Journals (DOAJ)
   • Scopus
2. The publisher is a member of COPE or OASPA. Check this on the COPE or OASPA website itself, not on the publisher's website.

Please note: the reliability of a publisher is no guarantee of the scientific quality of the journal. Therefore, check the following:

1. Do you know someone on the editorial board of the journal? Contact them and ask about their experiences with peer reviews and the editorial process.
2. You know one of the authors of recently published articles? Contact them and ask about their experiences and peer reviews and the editorial process.

Book publishers

There are several ways to recognise reliable book publishers:

• The publisher is registered in the Directory of Open Access Books (DOAB)
• The publisher is affiliated with a professional organisation of Open Access publishers, for example:
  • Open Book Collective
  • OASPA; check this on the OASPA website itself, not on the publisher's website
• Do you know anyone who has previously published a book with this publisher? If so, contact them and ask about their peer review experiences and the editorial process.

Predatory publishers

Predatory publishers charge publication fees (APCs) without providing editorial services or applying peer reviews. Or, they don't provide their services properly, which can lead to a delay the publication process. It can be difficult to spot predatory publishers.

The UKB guide Predatory and Questionable Publishing Practices provides authors with insight and practical advice on recognising predatory journals. Retraction Watch keeps track of when articles are retracted and from which journals.

Lists of predatory journals are not always correct (anymore). Like those on openaccessjournal.com, or Beall's list. Cabell's Predatory Reports gives a more reliable overview, but is only accessible for a fee.

In doubt?

• Consult the 'Think Check Submit' tool;
• contact the library;
• or consider publication in another journal.  

More information

On the SciRev website, researchers share their experiences with journals and you can leave your own experience.