The extent of South African authored articles in predatory journals

Johann Mouton; Astrid Valentine

doi:10.17159/sajs.2017/20170010

The extent of South African authored articles in predatory journals

Authors

Johann Mouton 1. Centre for Research on Evaluation, Science and Technology (CREST), Stellenbosch University, Stellenbosch, South Africa 2. DST/NRF Centre of Excellence in Scientometrics and Science, Technology and Innovation Policy, Stellenbosch University, Stellenbosch, South Africa
Astrid Valentine 1. Centre for Research on Evaluation, Science and Technology (CREST), Stellenbosch University, Stellenbosch, South Africa 2. DST/NRF Centre of Excellence in Scientometrics and Science, Technology and Innovation Policy, Stellenbosch University, Stellenbosch, South Africa

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.17159/sajs.2017/20170010

Keywords:

predatory publishing, scholarly publishing, South Africa, open access journals, DHET funding framework

Abstract

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.

Significance:

This study is the first to analyse the extent of predatory publishing in South Africa.

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Published

2017-07-31

Issue

Vol. 113 No. 7/8 (2017)

Section

Research Article

License

All articles are published under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International Licence

Copyright is retained by the authors. Readers are welcome to reproduce, share and adapt the content without permission provided the source is attributed.

Disclaimer: The publisher and editors accept no responsibility for statements made by the authors

How to Cite

Mouton, J., & Valentine, A. (2017). The extent of South African authored articles in predatory journals. South African Journal of Science, 113(7/8), 9. https://doi.org/10.17159/sajs.2017/20170010