How legitimate publishers allow paper mills to flourish

Image showing a Venn diagram of the relationship between legitimate publishers, paper mills and predatory publishers. It shows that predatory publishers are distinct entities from legitimate publishers, but can overlap with paper mills. It shows that paper mills exploit weak policies and processes within legitimate publishers, but that legitimate publishers also have questionable and predatory practices.

In this interview with the European Science-Media Hub, David Moher defines predatory journals. “Predatory journals and publishers are entities that prioritise self-interest at the expense of scholarship and are characterized by false or misleading information, deviation from best editorial and publication practices, a lack of transparency, and/or the use of aggressive and indiscriminate solicitation practices. […]