Imagine this: a promising young researcher spends months conducting meticulous experiments. They submit their paper to a journal and are asked to pay $2,500 in publication fees. Excited to see their work in print, they pay; but only to discover months later that the journal isn’t indexed anywhere meaningful, the peer review was superficial, and the article will likely never influence the field.
This is the reality of pay-to-publish publishing, a system meant to democratize science through open access but increasingly exploited by journals that prioritize revenue over research integrity. With academic careers and funding often tied to publications, the stakes are enormous. The Guardian recently reported that researchers worldwide face mounting pressure as millions of low-quality papers flood journals, overwhelming peer review and indexing systems.
Paying to publish shouldn’t mean paying for peer review to be bypassed.
When Open Access Turns Controversial
Open access journals charge authors Article Processing Charges (APCs) to make research freely available online. Legitimate APCs fund editorial work, peer review management, typesetting, and distribution. Fees vary widely ranging from $500 to over $5,000, depending on the field and journal.
However, the line between legitimate fees and exploitation is blurry. Some journals leverage APCs to publish anything, bypassing peer review. When publication depends more on money than merit, the system’s credibility erodes. Outlook India notes that some journals actively solicit researchers from developing countries with promises of rapid publication, highlighting the ethical and financial vulnerabilities of early-career scientists.
Open access should unlock knowledge but not unlock revenue model at the expense of quality.
The Rise of Predatory Journals
Predatory journals mimic legitimate journals but exist primarily to collect fees. They often:
- Accept submissions without proper peer review
- Misrepresent indexing and impact factors
- Have fake editorial boards
- Aggressively solicit authors via email
In 2015 alone, studies estimate that predatory journals published over 420,000 articles globally. In 2021 The Times of India (the largest selling English-language daily in the world, based in India) highlighted how even highly regarded researchers were targeted by journals claiming legitimacy but ultimately exploiting their work and reputations.
Predatory journals don’t just charge fees; they capitalize on academic pressure.
Exploiting “Publish or Perish” Culture
Imagine spending months on groundbreaking research, only to be told your career depends on publishing it fast, anywhere, at any cost. Across universities worldwide, tenure, promotions, and funding are increasingly tied to publication counts, not the quality or impact of the work.
Predatory journals thrive in this high-pressure environment, promising rapid acceptance and guaranteed publication for fees sometimes reaching thousands of dollars. Early-career researchers and scholars from underfunded institutions are most vulnerable, often sacrificing rigor, peer review, and credibility just to meet quotas.
The consequences ripple beyond individual careers. Low-quality or flawed studies flood the literature, misleading policymakers, funders, and fellow researchers. A 2020 survey in Nature found that early-career researchers in high-pressure disciplines submit an average of 3–5 papers per year, often at the expense of rigor and reproducibility.
The Guardian further reported that millions of papers published each year are “effectively invisible” due to poor indexing or predatory practices. When academic success is measured by numbers, not merit, integrity becomes optional.
Stories from the world
The human cost of pay-to-publish is striking:
- In Nigeria, a researcher paid $1,800 to a journal promising rapid publication; the article was later retracted for plagiarism.
- In Europe, a scholar’s “high-impact” open access paper lost indexing in Web of Science, leaving the work invisible.
- In Brazil, an early-career scientist had figures stolen and reused in other papers.
- The Times of India reported similar cases where high-profile scientists were unknowingly exploited, showing that even experienced researchers are not immune.
Publishing shouldn’t feel like navigating a minefield of scams.
Identifying Legitimate Journals
Not all journals are what they seem. Researchers can protect their work by checking indexing in Scopus, Web of Science, or PubMed, and verifying editorial board credentials.
Tools like Think.Check.Submit provide step-by-step guidance. Red flags include guaranteed acceptance, aggressive solicitations, hidden fees, or fake impact factors. Universities often offer verified journal lists or advisory support, helping researchers avoid scams and maintain credibility.
A peer-review stamp isn’t worth the paper it’s printed on if it was never earned.
Reforms and Solutions
Fixing the pay-to-publish crisis requires action at multiple levels. Institutions can selectively fund APCs, ensuring researchers publish only in reputable journals. Nonprofit and community-driven platforms provide open-access options without predatory exploitation.
Transparency is essential: journals should clearly disclose fees, peer review processes, and editorial board details. Research evaluation reforms can reward quality, rigor, and reproducibility over sheer publication counts. Education is key — training researchers to identify predatory journals and navigate APCs responsibly reduces vulnerability. Policymakers and funders are exploring APC caps, equitable publishing support, and disclosure rules to protect research integrity globally.
The future of credible science depends on protecting peer review, transparency, and equitable access for all researchers.
FAQs for Pay-to-Publish model Corrupting Academic Research
Q: What is pay-to-publish?
A: Authors pay an Article Processing Charge (APC) to publish, usually in open-access journals. Legitimate journals use fees for editorial work; predatory journals exploit them for profit.
Q: Are APCs always unethical?
A: No. Legitimate journals cover peer review, editing, and hosting. Problems arise when fees are detached from quality.
Q: How can I spot predatory journals?
A: Check indexing, editorial boards, peer review policies, and use Think.Check.Submit.
Q: Do predatory journals harm careers?
A: Yes. Publications in the predatory journals can damage credibility, reduce citations, and affect funding.
Q: Can paying guarantee acceptance?
A: Only in predatory journals. Legitimate journals never guarantee acceptance.
Q: Are APC waivers available?
A: Yes, for low- and middle-income researchers, though policies vary.
Q: Can I retract a paper from a predatory journal?
A: Retractions are difficult; institutional support is often required.
Q: Do predatory journals misrepresent metrics?
A: Frequently. Fake impact factors, false indexing, and misleading claims are common.
Q: Is pay-to-publish increasing globally?
A: Yes. Rising academic pressure fuels both legitimate and predatory APC-based journals.
Q: What can institutions do to protect researchers?
A: Provide guidelines, selective APC funding, and training to help scholars avoid predatory publishers.
External sources
- Shen C, Björk BC. ‘Predatory’open access: a longitudinal study of article volumes and market characteristics. BMC medicine. 2015 Oct 1;13(1):230.
- Beall’s List of Potential Predatory Journals and Publishers.
- Xia J, Harmon JL, Connolly KG, Donnelly RM, Anderson MR, Howard HA. Who publishes in “predatory” journals? Journal of the Association for Information Science and Technology. 2015 Jul;66(7):1406-17.
- Times of India. Anti-venom pioneer targeted by predatory journal. 2021.
- Outlook India. From crisis to credibility: strengthening ethical standards in academic publishing. 2025.
- Think.Check.Submit. Identify trusted publishers for your research.
- Eltaybani S. Twenty Red Flags To Spot Phishing Emails from Predatory Journals. J Acad Ethics. 24, 9 (2026). Doi: 10.1007/s10805-025-09679-z.
- The Guardian. Quality of scientific papers questioned as academics overwhelmed by millions published. 2025.
Disclaimer
This article is for informational purposes only. It does not constitute professional advice and should not replace consultation with institutional advisors or ethics boards. Some content on this page may have been created or reviewed with the help of artificial intelligence tools. While every effort is made to ensure reliability, readers are advised to consult primary sources. External links and references are offered for convenience, and Honores is not liable for their content or impact. Honores declare that there is no conflict of interest and have not received any kind of support/funding for writing this article.
