Analysis of predatory emails in early career academia and attempts at prevention

Predatory publishers—those who do not adhere to rigorous standards of academic practice such as peer review—are increasingly infiltrating biomedical databases, the detriment wider scientific community. These publishers frequently send unsolicited ‘spam’ emails generate submission their journals, with early career researchers (ECR) particularly susceptible these practices because pressures securing employment and promotion. This analysis sought record characterize received over course a PhD post-doctoral position (~8 years), well attempts unsubscribe from emails, using progressive step-wise manner. A total 1,280 identified spam were (990 journal invitations, 220 conference 70 ‘other’). The first email was 3 months after registration for an international conference. Attempts at unsubscribing somewhat effective, whereby implications reporting respective authorities resulted in 43% decrease although did eliminate them completely, therefore alternative approaches eliminating may be needed. Ongoing education about predatory publishers, action by key stakeholders, should look reduce impact have upon literature base.