How to Know If a Journal is Legitimate

Abstract

In these times of quickly proliferating journals with potentially unscrupulous publishing practices, it is more important than ever to be confident that the journals you rely on for scholarly content and for your own publication needs are legitimate. We are proud to report that the IJOM was thoroughly reviewed by the Committee on Publication Ethics and has been accepted for membership, verifying that the journal maintains a commitment to research and a high level of publication integrity.

The rules have changed. Even just twenty years ago, there were a handful of journals in each field to consider for our publication needs. When I considered where to publish my work, I would make a list of possibilities, starting with “reach” journals and moving down to “safe” journals, much like the process of deciding where to apply to college. Most of these journals were “official journals” of associations to which I was a member or an aspiring member, and others were managed by traditional large publishing companies or university-managed publishing groups. As publishing became a large-profit business, less scrupulous publishers got into the game leading to a market called “predatory publishing.”

Predatory journals are considered those that aggressively solicit papers, fail to provide scholarly reviews, charge authors fees to submit manuscripts, and demonstrate no intent to advance scholarship. In the most extreme cases, their websites may be a façade and editorial review boards fictitious. In less egregious cases, publication ethics are questionable because of the for-profit nature of the publishing companies. The foremost association to verify the authenticity of scholarly journals is the Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE).

In my 2021 From the Editor column, I discussed our new website that comprises a digital platform for submitting articles and access to all of the International Journal of Orofacial Myology and Myofunctional Therapy’s (IJOM) historic and current content. I also introduced the IJOM’s expert panel of Editorial Review Board (ERB) members. Each has a doctoral degree reflecting their research and clinical expertise. They are highly regarded in their areas of specialty, represent the international nature of orofacial myology and myofunctional therapy, and cover the wide range of topics appropriate for this journal. In 2022, I informed readers about the open-access model of publishing and listed practice and policy changes that were implemented to establish credibility as a legitimate online open-access scholarly journal. In this column, I am proud to announce that the IJOM is now officially recognized by COPE for membership. This involved a 1½-year review process wherein the Committee reviewed the journal’s policies, website, and ERB. Belonging to COPE will help pave the way for future applications for recognition and indexing. It also gives us access to the wealth of materials and consulting provided by the organization to maintain ethical practices.

Authors may now feel more confident than ever that your work will be considered for publication with the highest level of publication integrity, and readers can be assured that the information published in the IJOM is legitimate and has undergone scholarly review. To make the submission process even smoother, we are currently working on a new and improved Guide for Authors. Note that the various types of manuscripts considered in the IJOM are listed under the journal’s Aims & Scope. This year, we have added a category for Protocols, which are descriptions of a planned research study, clinical trial, scoping review, or systematic review. Please feel free to contact me at editor.ijom@iaom.com if you have an idea for a publication and would like my impression of its suitability.

Thank you for being loyal and valued consumers of the IJOM. In 2024, we look forward to celebrating the IJOM’s 50^th consecutive year of publication!