Korea Research Foundation "Predatory Journals Undermine Academic Trust" [Reading Science]

Survey Results from 3,268 Domestic Principal Investigators
71.7% Respond "It Exists"... High Awareness of Issues Such as Declining Trust in Academia

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[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Bong-su] Concerns among researchers in the scientific community about the so-called predatory journals used by children of high-ranking officials to build their credentials have reached a serious level.

According to the Korea Research Foundation (NRF) on the 9th, a survey conducted by the foundation in April targeting 3,268 university professors and other principal investigators in Korea found that 71.7% believed that overseas suspected predatory journals and academic conferences exist. Other responses included 14.2% who said no, and 14.1% who did not know.

The principal investigators also identified key characteristics of overseas suspected predatory journals (multiple responses allowed): encouraging paper submissions via spam email formats (73.6%), opaque peer review processes (71.8%), very high acceptance rates (70.7%), and lack of transparency in the publication process (70.4%). Many also mentioned broad subject coverage of journals (67.2%), excessively short review periods (65.9%), and undisclosed editorial and review board members (63.7%).

Regarding predatory academic conferences, respondents pointed out discussions covering various academic fields rather than specific ones (70.7%), unclear information about organizing committees (67.4%), vague program and presenter details (62.3%), direct invitation emails sent to researchers (61.4%), imitation of well-known societies and conferences (60.1%), poor conference websites (57.2%), and hosting at tourist attractions (52.2%).

Principal investigators expressed deep concerns about these predatory journals and conferences. The most frequently cited issue was the decline in academic trust due to contamination of scholarship (37.2%). Other concerns included unfair research performance evaluations (26.8%), misuse of research funds (12.3%), exploitation of research outcomes (11.8%), research misconduct such as duplicate publication (11.2%), and others (0.6%).

As for reasons why some participate in predatory journals and conferences, the most common was lack of awareness among researchers (23.8%). Other reasons included research performance evaluations by affiliated institutions (23.7%), evaluations by funding agencies (21.1%), low research standards (19.4%), and adherence to research timelines (10%).

Many also expressed that government and academic sector preventive measures are insufficient. When asked if they had received guidance to prevent participation in predatory journals and conferences, only 65.5% answered yes, while 22.3% said no, and 12.2% did not know, meaning about one-third responded negatively. When asked if they were aware of predatory journal and conference services, nearly half (46.2%) answered no.

Meanwhile, in May, around the time of the confirmation hearing for Minister of Justice Han Dong-hoon, allegations arose that his children and nephew-in-law had published numerous plagiarized papers in overseas predatory journals for admission purposes, sparking controversy. In response, Yonsei University is currently investigating Professor Lee, who co-authored papers with Minister Han’s nephew-in-law, Mr. Choi, for research misconduct. Mr. Choi wrote medical papers with his maternal uncle, Professor Lee, during high school and published them in predatory journals. Mr. Choi is currently enrolled at the University of Pennsylvania School of Dental Medicine, a prestigious university in the U.S. East Coast. He is suspected of collaborating within a 'credential community' with Minister Han’s children.