Title: The Dark Side of Indian Academia: The Scandalous World of Fake Journals by Dr Kiran Kakade

Source: https://thinkscience.co.jp/

Introduction

The pursuit of academic recognition, research advancement, and career progression is a universal goal for scholars and researchers. However, in recent years, the academic landscape in India has witnessed a disturbing trend: the emergence of fake journals and an underground economy where scholars and professors pay to get their research published in seemingly legitimate, but actually fraudulent, journals. This blog delves into the alarming issue of Indian PhDs and professors falling victim to this racket, compromising the integrity of academic research, and tarnishing the reputation of Indian scholars on the global stage.

The Rise of Fake Journals and Fixers

For many academics, the pressure to publish in reputable journals is intense due to the emphasis on research output for promotions and career advancement. In this environment, opportunistic individuals have capitalized on the desperation of PhD scholars and professors by offering services to get substandard, and sometimes entirely fabricated, research papers published in journals that are indexed by Scopus, one of the world’s largest journal databases. These fixers operate in cahoots with compromised peer-review boards, undermining the peer-review process that serves as a cornerstone of credible research publication.

The Impact on Science and Trust

The consequences of this racket extend far beyond the individuals involved. It erodes the credibility of Indian researchers on the international academic stage, as the fake publications flood databases and indexes, making it difficult to distinguish legitimate research from dubious content. This undermines the trust the public places in science and scientists to uphold truth and integrity, endangering the very foundation of scholarly pursuit.

Case Studies: Exposing the Scandal

Several case studies highlight the severity of the issue. Journals that were once indexed by Scopus, such as the International Journal of Early Childhood Special Education and the International Journal of Control and Automation, lost their Scopus coverage due to their involvement in publishing irrelevant and questionable content. Researchers have been caught publishing papers on unrelated topics and even ghostwritten papers, all in an effort to manipulate their academic standing.

Intricacies of the Racket

Agents and fixers play a crucial role in this nefarious ecosystem, acting as intermediaries between authors and fraudulent journals. These individuals exploit the desperation of academics who might lack the necessary language skills or genuine research output, promising publications in exchange for fees. Though many acknowledge the ethical dilemma, they often justify their actions as a means of earning money.

Fake Journals Hijacking Legitimate Publications

The problem doesn’t stop at publishing in dubious journals. The phenomenon of hijacked journals adds another layer of complexity to the issue. Hijacked journals take over legitimate publications’ titles, ISSNs, and metadata without consent. This allows fraudulent publishers to dupe researchers and institutions into submitting articles and even paying publication fees, thereby tarnishing the reputation of the legitimate journals.

Conclusion

The prevalence of fake journals and the willingness of scholars and professors to participate in this racket point to a systemic issue within the Indian academic ecosystem. The pressure to publish, coupled with the lack of proper oversight, has created an environment ripe for exploitation. Addressing this issue requires collaborative efforts among universities, academic bodies, and researchers themselves to prioritize the integrity of research over the pursuit of mere publications. As Indian academia grapples with these challenges, it’s crucial to implement stringent measures to identify and expose fake journals, while emphasizing the importance of ethical research practices. Only by restoring trust and upholding the true essence of scholarly pursuit can Indian academia regain its rightful place on the global stage.