A graduate student in philosophy writes:
I recently received an email invitation to be on the editorial board or serve as an associate editor for an open access journal run by the International Journal Network (http://www.journalnetwork.org). While I’m flattered by the invitation, it also raised a number of red flags. For one, I’m a (very young) graduate student, and an invitation to serve in either of these positions at a journal is unusual. The invitation also included this line: “In either position, you can participate as little or as much as you like.” More importantly, a quick review of the organization reveals it has 325 journals (including, for example, the “International Journal of Paranormal Investigation,” the “International Journal of Astrology,” and the “International Journal of Religious Mysteries”). Most bizarre is that they seem willing to accept submissions now for a number of journals that apparently have no previous editions published and no boards or editors in place. For all the journals I looked at closely, the required submission fee is $125 per article.
I’ve already rejected the offer since, as a young graduate student, I don’t feel comfortable in those roles at any journal. But I wonder if the International Journal Network is worth further scrutiny.
Any other readers familiar with this operation?
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