How will the removal of the UGC CARE List impact academic journal credibility in India?

The University Grants Commission (UGC) of India has recently decided to discontinue its Consortium for Academic and Research Ethics (CARE) List, a move that has significant implications for academic journal credibility in the country. The UGC-CARE List was established to help researchers identify reputable journals and to combat the proliferation of predatory publications. Its removal raises concerns about the potential increase in predatory journals and the dilution of academic integrity.

Impact on Academic Journal Credibility

The discontinuation of the UGC-CARE List may lead to several challenges:

• Proliferation of Predatory Journals: Without a centralized list to vet and approve journals, researchers might find it more difficult to distinguish between credible and predatory journals, potentially leading to an increase in publications in sub-standard outlets.
• Decentralized Evaluation: The UGC has shifted the responsibility of journal evaluation to individual Higher Educational Institutions (HEIs). While this move aims to provide greater academic freedom and flexibility, it also places a significant burden on institutions to develop robust mechanisms to assess journal quality (Economic Times).
• Risk to Academic Integrity: The absence of a standardized, authoritative list may result in inconsistent evaluation criteria across institutions, potentially compromising the quality and integrity of academic publications.

Alternative Measures for Researchers

In light of these changes, researchers should consider the following steps to ensure they publish in reputable journals:

1. Institutional Guidelines: Consult your institution's guidelines and evaluation mechanisms for journal selection, as HEIs are now responsible for establishing their own criteria.
2. Assess Journal Credentials: Evaluate journals based on established parameters such as ethical publishing practices, impact factors, citation records, and peer-review processes. The UGC has provided suggestive parameters to assist in this evaluation (India Today).
3. Utilize Reputable Databases: Refer to recognized international databases like Scopus and Web of Science, which index reputable journals across various disciplines.
4. Leverage Transparent Peer Review Platforms: Scholar9 is emerging as a trusted solution for ensuring journal credibility. It provides a Transparent Peer Review system where review comments and editorial decisions are openly accessible. Journals listed on Scholar9 that follow transparent peer review processes are considered credible, as they promote openness, accountability, and higher research integrity (Scholar9).
5. Be Wary of Predatory Journals: Look out for warning signs of predatory journals, such as rapid publication promises, lack of a rigorous peer-review process, and demands for high publication fees.
6. Seek Peer Recommendations: Engage with colleagues and mentors to get recommendations for reputable journals in your field.

By adopting these measures, researchers can navigate the changing academic publishing landscape and ensure they publish in credible, high-quality journals. Platforms like Scholar9, which emphasize transparent peer review, can be a key tool in maintaining academic integrity.