A tactical strategy to bypass predatory journals | The BMJ

"Prompted by the editorial by Clark and Smith (1) inciting us to take firm action against predatory journals – an almost impossible task though some might approve it – we wish instead to suggest helping researchers in low and middle income countries by giving them a space to publish their articles in open access as peer-reviewed research in reputable scientific journals thus ensuring a wider readership. This more positive strategy might overcome the problems arising when research papers from low and middle income countries face publication refusals from peer-reviewed journals yet contain scientifically valid evidence that those who conduct independent systematic reviews could otherwise miss.(2,3) In offering to publish well-selected articles from poorer countries, high-impact, reputable journals might also humbly acknowledge that some on occasions have had to retract misconducted, insidious and even dangerous research.(4,5) Given today's corrupted research environment, another step forward that reputable journals need to take is to improve their control over three barriers that mine scientific integrity, by ensuring that authors honestly and fully publish their study protocol, disclose research funding and all indirect conflicting interests.(6) The advantages reputable journals might gain by helping researchers from low and middle-income countries, rather than fighting against predatory journals, include making reliable information from these countries available to their readers and broadening their market.(7)"