Do Not Feed the Predators

Jager, Phillip de; Spuy, Pieter van der; Kock, Francois de

doi:10.2139/ssrn.2858750

Cited by 5 publications

(18 citation statements)

References 15 publications

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“…An analysis of 371 articles appearing in journals in this field in 2011 revealed a cost to government of subsidising plagiarised work in these journals at ZAR7 million from a total payout to universities of ZAR32 400 000. 13 (See also de Jager et al 3 ).…”

Section: Value Chain Contradictionsmentioning

confidence: 97%

“…2 Finally, the question of predatory journals that prey on the 'publish or perish' syndrome is a growing concern. [3][4][5][6] These four topics background more specific concerns addressed here regarding the issue of incentive-seeking by South African universities, enabled by the unique economics of academic journal publishing in South Africa. This uniqueness is illustrated in the final section which draws on the textured experience of a number of editors and production editors based in South Africa who have commented, some multiple times, on earlier drafts of this analysis.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Perverse incentives and the political economy of South African academic journal publishing

Tomaselli¹

2018

S. Afr. J. Sci.

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Academic publishing in South Africa attracts a state research incentive for the universities to which the authors are affiliated. The aim of this study was twofold: (1) to examine the composition of the research value chain and (2) to identify the effects of broken links within the chain. The methodology selected was a lived cultural economy study, which was constructed through incorporating dialogue with editors, authors and researchers in terms of my own experience as a journal editor, read through a political economy framework. The prime effect is to exclude journals, especially independent titles, from directly earning publishing incentives. The behaviour of universities in attracting this variable income is discussed in terms of rent-seeking which occurs when organisations and/or individuals leverage resources from state institutions. Firstly, this process commodifies research and its product, publication. Secondly, the value chain is incomplete as it is the journals that are funding publication rather than – in many cases – the research economy funding the journals. Thirdly, authors are seeking the rewards enabled by the incentive attached to measurement systems, rather than the incentive of impacting the discipline/s which they are addressing. Fourthly, the paper discuses some policy and institutional matters which impact the above and the relative costs between open access and subscription models. Editors, journals and publishers are the un- or underfunded conduits that enable the transfer of massive research subsidies to universities and authors, and, in the case of journals, editors’ voluntary work is the concealed link in the value chain enabling the national research economy. Significance: The South African scientific publishing economy is built on a foundation of clay: this economy distorts research impact and encourages universities and academics to commoditise output.

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Section: Value Chain Contradictionsmentioning

confidence: 97%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Perverse incentives and the political economy of South African academic journal publishing

Tomaselli¹

2018

S. Afr. J. Sci.

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“…A few South African studies and reports have appeared in recent years which have suggested that predatory publishing is not only present but is in fact becoming more pervasive -at least in some disciplines. 1,2 However, no study has been done that presents a systematic assessment of how many articles, authored by South African academics, have been published in predatory journals.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

extent of South African authored articles in predatory journals

Mouton¹,

Valentine²

2017

S. Afr. J. Sci.

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We present a first estimate of the extent of predatory publishing amongst South African academics. This estimate is based on an analysis of all South African authored papers that qualified for subsidy over the period 2005 to 2014. The analysis shows that 4246 South African papers were published in 48 journals which we re-classified (refining Beall’s classification) as either being probably or possibly predatory. A breakdown of these papers by year shows that the greatest increase in predatory publishing has occurred since 2011. Results are also presented of the distribution of these papers by individual university and scientific field. We conclude with some suggestions about predatory publishing and its pervasive consequence for our trust in science and how this should be addressed by the major stakeholders in the South African higher education system.

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“…Statements about the existence and dangers of predatory journals, and in some cases institutional positions, are published or promoted sporadically in SA. For example, De Jager et al, [17] in their survey of predatory publishing prevalence in economic and management sciences, cite statements by the National Research Foundation, the Department of Higher Education and Training and two universities regarding awareness of predatory journals. The National Research Foundation statement on predatory journals and deceptive publishers cites rejection of applications associated with such practices as one form of deterrence, and encourages institutions to be aware of and avoid publishing in predatory journals.…”

Section: Condition 4: Existing Methods Of Enforcement or Deterrence Amentioning

confidence: 99%

Is intentional publishing in predatory journals a form of scientific misconduct?

Stein

2020

S Afr J BL

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Do Not Feed the Predators

Cited by 5 publications

References 15 publications

Perverse incentives and the political economy of South African academic journal publishing

Perverse incentives and the political economy of South African academic journal publishing

extent of South African authored articles in predatory journals

Is intentional publishing in predatory journals a form of scientific misconduct?

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