Rajiv Lochan

The academic community, especially the young research scholars and faculty need to be sensitized about predatory journals and conferences so that they do not fall prey to such un-academic activities.

It is essential to take steps to enhance the visibility of established Indian journals by proactively encouraging researchers in the country to publish some of their papers in these journals.

The message that needs to be driven home is that no agency should ask separate listing of research publications in ‘National’ and ‘International Journals’.

Papers published in established Indian journals may even be given special attention during any assessment if their citation significantly exceeds the average citation rate of the journal.

Funding agencies should advise the concerned investigators to refrain from publication/participation in predatory and substandard journals (i.e., those that started publishing only as online journals in recent past, levy open-access or other charges, assure rapid publication and have ambiguous peer-review process and publication policies) and conferences. Such publications and participations must not be counted as research output.

Funding agencies and institutions should not generally provide funds to the conference organizers for independent publication of the proceedings of a conference/seminar unless the conference is meant to be a brainstorming to review the status of a field and to plan future directions.

Payment of open access charges, except in case of publication in well established journals of repute, may be generally avoided

Articles placed on established pre-print archives, which provide perpetually free access to all, should be encouraged.

The author, Rajiv Lochan, is an academician and an acclaimed historian.