A qualitative content analysis of watchlists vs safelists: How do they address the issue of predatory publishing?

As one type of attempt to address the important issue of predatory publishing, numerous individuals, associations, and companies have begun curating journal watchlists or journal safelists. This study explores the inclusion/exclusion criteria stated by these lists to better understand their content, as well as the larger controversies that continue to surround the phenomenon of predatory publishing. Four watchlists and ten safelists were analyzed through an examination of their published mission statements and inclusion/exclusion criteria. Some researchers wish to go beyond these lists and are exploring the efficacy of information campaigns on raising awareness of predatory publishing.