JCR Verification 1. Access: Confirm unit purchase by entering your single sign-on username and password to access NCHU Library homepage/common databases/JCR. 2. Search: Enter the journal name (e.g., the Journal of Academic Librarianship): (1) Enter the name (2) Query 3. Results: Details on ISSN, publisher, and impact factor that indicate credibility to be included in JCR can be double-checked on its website. 4. Reminder: Not all unlisted journals are predatory. Its exclusion may be due to other factors. Double check on WOS, DOAJ, Beall’s List, etc.
WOS Verification 1. Access: Confirm unit purchased by entering your single sign-on username and password to access WOS via NCHU Library homepage/common databases/SCIE. 2. Search: Enter the journal name (e.g., the Journal of Academic Librarianship): (1) Select WOS Collection (2) Enter the name (3) Set as “Publication Name” (4) Query 3. Results: (1) Articles in the latest issue indicate credibility to be indexed in SCIE (2) Click the publisher link for the full text. 4. Reminder: Not all unlisted journals are predatory. It may not be indexed in WOS. For instance, the Journal of Women’s Health and Gynecology is OA not found in WOS that can be double checked on DOAJ, Beall’s List, etc.
DOAJ Verification It verifies OA journal content as credible with peer review mechanisms as a criterion. 1. Access: Log in to DOAJ (https://www.doaj.org) and enter the journal name (e.g., the Journal of Academic Librarianship) 2. Search: Similar titles with different ISSNs indicate non-OA journals. 3. Results: Query for Journal of Women’s Health and Gynecology states that it is OA. 4. View publication information and other details by clicking on the journal.
Beall’s List Verification 1. Access: The Journal of Gynecology and Women’s Health has an ISSN and a website but is not found on WOS, JCR, or DOAJ, which indicate that it may be predatory. 2. Search: Entering the publisher name (Juniper) on Beall’s List at https://beallslist.net shows its inclusion. 3. Result: The Journal of Gynecology and Women’s Health is modeled after the Journal of Women’s Health and Gynecology; similarly, the International Journal of Librarianship and Information Science is modeled after the Journal of Librarianship and Information Science. Being cautious about subtle differences is essential to avoid accidentally falling into a trap. 4. Note: Beall’s List is a verification channel with controversial content. Hence, use these blacklists or whitelists with discretion before concluding without considering multiple factors. Other reference tools include Kscien’s list, and Cabell’s list.
Think.Check.Submit Verification Website: https://thinkchecksubmit.org/think 1. THINK: Think about the large amount of journals published weekly. With predatory publishers on the rise, an important reminder is considering if the journal is the right one to submit your paper to. 2. CHECK: Create a checklist to assess credibility by asking pertinent questions. 3. SUBMIT: If after careful consideration and ticking through your checklist to most or all questions with a YES, confidently submit your findings to that journal.