How to tell reputable journals from shady ones
When Björn Bauer began his research career, he was eager to establish himself as an expert in his field. So he was delighted when, in 2011, the publisher of a journal called Pharmacologia emailed him an invitation to join the publication’s editorial advisory board. As requested, Bauer sent a copy of his biographical sketch. Soon after, his name appeared on the Pharmacologia website. Aside from a few administrative emails, he did not hear from the publisher, which, he says, never contacted him to review any manuscripts or consult on other editorial decisions.
“I looked at their website, and it looked like a new start-up journal,” recalls Bauer, now an associate professor of pharmacy at the University of Kentucky. But after months—then years—of silence, he began to suspect something was awry.
