Distance education as a tool to improve researchers’ knowledge on predatory journals in countries with limited resources: the Moroccan experience

Abstract The emergence of predatory journals is a global threat for scientific integrity, particularly in under-resourced settings such as low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). A bilingual course on publishing using distance education approach was developed Moroccan researchers response to the imperative need training research ethics implement good practices. cross-sectional survey-based study conducted evaluate outcomes after delivering two sessions both French English. Before this course, 40% participants indicated that they don’t verify journal quality before manuscript submission most them consider Scopus indexing impact factor best criteria publication. Approximately 50% surveyees did not have previous information webinar. Pressure publish by supervisors, institutions affiliation, or funding agencies, noticed 43.4% participants. After webinar delivered, remarkably, proportion with knowledge meaningfully increased from 48.9% 81%. Importantly, 83.7% are motivated share their new colleagues. Moreover, majority respondents (73.8%) reported may damage career professional future. Promisingly, nearly half more recommended use based education, surveillance mentors affiliations, social networks increase awareness publishing. Almost all were satisfied content Trainers LMICs should benefit advent platforms issue settings.