Last updated: 1 May 2026 · 10 min read · Audience: Authors, students, early-career researchers · Reading level: Introductory
Quick answer. A predatory journal is one that charges authors a fee but does not deliver legitimate peer review or editorial oversight. EP Journals Group differs from predatory publishers in eight verifiable ways: documented peer review, named editorial boards, transparent APCs, COPE-aligned ethics, real CrossRef DOIs, retraction policies, no aggressive solicitation, and indexing claims you can independently verify.
This guide explains how to tell a legitimate open access publisher from a predatory one, what red flags to look for, and how EP Journals Group operates differently.
What "predatory journal" means
The term was popularised by librarian Jeffrey Beall in 2008 to describe a class of open access publishers that exploited the author-pays model: collect the article processing charge, perform little or no peer review, and publish quickly. Predatory journals damage authors (whose work appears in venues that other researchers do not trust), readers (who cannot rely on the published findings), and the reputation of legitimate open access publishing.
Beall's original list went offline in 2017, but successor lists exist. The current standard for verifying legitimacy is membership in the Directory of Open Access Journals (DOAJ).
Eight ways EP Journals Group differs from predatory publishers
1. Documented peer review
Every manuscript at EP Journals Group undergoes double-blind peer review by two independent reviewers. The peer review process is documented at /publication-process. Predatory journals typically claim to do peer review but cannot describe how it works in detail, and review turnaround is suspiciously fast — sometimes within hours.
2. Named editorial boards
Each EP Journals Group publication has an editorial board with verifiable members, listed at /editorial. Editorial board members can be cross-checked against their institutional pages, ORCID profiles, and Google Scholar records. Predatory journals often list fake or unaware "editorial board members" — researchers whose names appear without their consent.
3. Transparent APCs
Article Processing Charges at EP Journals Group are published openly with no hidden surcharges. Fee waivers are available for unfunded researchers and student authors. Predatory publishers commonly hide the APC until after acceptance, then refuse to release the article unless paid — a coercive pattern.
4. COPE-aligned ethics policies
EP Journals Group operates under the Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE) framework. Our publication ethics policy, research integrity policy, and retraction and correction policy are documented publicly. Predatory journals often have no published ethics policies or copy them verbatim from legitimate publishers without implementing them.
5. Real CrossRef DOIs
Every accepted manuscript receives a CrossRef DOI within 24 hours of acceptance, at no additional charge. Predatory journals frequently skip DOI registration to avoid the CrossRef membership fee, or use unofficial "DOI-like" identifiers that do not resolve through doi.org. Read more on DOIs and how to verify them.
6. Retraction and correction policy
Articles found to contain serious errors or research misconduct are retracted following COPE flowcharts. The retraction notice is published openly, with the original article kept on record. Predatory publishers often refuse to issue retractions, even in clear cases of misconduct, because retractions reflect badly on their journal.
7. No aggressive email solicitation
EP Journals Group does not send unsolicited bulk email inviting researchers to submit. If you receive a flattering email asking you to "contribute your distinguished expertise" to a journal you've never heard of, it is almost certainly predatory. Legitimate publishers grow through reputation, conferences, and word of mouth — not cold outreach.
8. Indexing claims you can verify
Indexing claims at EP Journals Group are independently verifiable. To check whether a journal really is indexed in Scopus, Web of Science, or DOAJ, search the journal title or ISSN directly on those databases — not on the publisher's own website. Predatory journals frequently claim indexing they do not have.
Side-by-side comparison
| Feature | EP Journals Group | Predatory journals |
|---|---|---|
| Peer review | Double-blind, two independent reviewers | Often skipped or superficial |
| Review turnaround | 1–2 weeks | Often within hours |
| Editorial board | Named, verifiable | Often fake or unaware members |
| APC transparency | Published openly, waivers available | Often hidden until acceptance |
| Ethics policies | COPE-aligned, documented | Absent or copied without practice |
| DOI | CrossRef DOI on every article | Frequently absent or fake |
| Retraction policy | Published, COPE-flowchart | Often refuses retractions |
| Solicitation | None | Aggressive bulk email |
| Indexing claims | Independently verifiable | Often false or unverifiable |
How to verify any journal's legitimacy in 5 minutes
- Search the journal title in DOAJ at doaj.org. If it's listed, it has passed DOAJ's editorial criteria.
- Cross-check Scopus and Web of Science indexing claims directly on scopus.com and webofscience.com, not on the publisher's website.
- Pick three editorial board members and verify them on their institutional pages and ORCID. If you cannot find them, or their listed affiliation does not match, that is a red flag.
- Read three recently published articles. Look at the depth of peer review (some journals publish reviews alongside articles). Skim the methodology — does it look like the editor read it?
- Check the APC. If it's hidden, vague, or only revealed after acceptance, walk away.
What to do if you've already submitted to a predatory journal
If your paper is in review and you've identified the journal as predatory: withdraw the submission immediately, in writing. You may have to pay a withdrawal fee, but that is preferable to having your work appear in a venue that will damage your scholarly record. If your paper has already been published in a predatory journal, contact a librarian or research-integrity officer at your institution — there are formal processes for retraction in some cases.
Further reading
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Related reading and next steps
Editorial enquiries
Questions about this guide or about preparing a manuscript for submission may be directed to the editorial office. Where a query relates to a specific journal in the portfolio, please indicate the journal abbreviation in your message.
Email: editor@ep-journals.org