When peril responds to plague: predatory journal engagement with COVID-19

Purpose The academic community has warned that predatory journals may attempt to capitalize on the confusion caused by COVID-19 pandemic further publish low quality work, eroding credibility of scholarly publishing. Design/methodology/approach This article first chronicles risks publishing, especially related misinformation surrounding health research. Next, author offers an empirical investigation how publishing engaged with COVID-19, emphasis virology, immunology and epidemiology as identified through Cabells' Predatory Reports, a content analysis publishers' websites comparison sample from DOAJ. Findings findings show there were 162 titles these critical areas listed Cabells range infractions, but most defunct only 39 had published pandemic. Compared DOAJ group, journal less likely mention slowdowns peer review process Furthermore, another 284 engagement uncovered initial exploration. These mostly centered medical or biological science fields, while 42 came other broader fields in social science, STEM humanities. Originality/value study does not prove publications have released pertaining rather it exemplifies potential within complex space. As outlets proven be vectors misleading libraries educational need stay vigilant information intermediaries online