UGC CARE Cloned Journals List

Introduction

The academic publishing landscape has witnessed significant challenges in recent decades, particularly with the proliferation of predatory publishing practices. Among these threats, cloned journals have emerged as a sophisticated scheme that threatens academic integrity and research quality. This comprehensive guide addresses the critical issue of cloned journals recognized by the University Grants Commission (UGC) and provides valuable information for researchers, academicians, and institutions.

Cloned journals are deceptive replicas of legitimate academic journals, often using similar names, identical formatting, and mimicking website designs to deceive authors. The UGC CARE (Consortium for Academic and Research Ethics) initiative has been at the forefront of combating predatory journals and has identified numerous cloned journals that researchers should avoid.

The challenges posed by cloned journals have grown in sophistication as perpetrators adopt more deceptive tactics. Unlike early predatory journals that appeared obviously fraudulent, modern cloned journals can appear virtually identical to their legitimate counterparts, making detection extremely challenging for even experienced researchers. This guide aims to equip readers with the knowledge and tools to identify and avoid these fraudulent publications.

What is UGC CARE?

The University Grants Commission - Consortium for Academic and Research Ethics (UGC CARE) is an initiative by the Government of India to promote quality research and academic integrity. Established in response to growing concerns about predatory publishing practices, UGC CARE serves as a beacon for maintaining high standards in academic publishing.

The UGC CARE initiative emerged from recommendations made by various committees and experts on academic publishing in India. Recognizing the threats posed by predatory journals, the UGC established a consortium to address this challenge systematically. This initiative has evolved from earlier attempts to regulate journals, including the now-withdrawn "UGC Approved List of Journals," to a more robust and sustainable approach focused on quality and transparency.

The objectives of UGC CARE include:

• Providing a curated list of reputable journals for researchers across disciplines
• Identifying predatory and unethical publishing practices, including cloned journals
• Protecting researchers from fraudulent journals and deceptive publishing schemes
• Ensuring transparency in academic publishing processes and standards
• Maintaining academic standards and ethics in research dissemination
• Creating awareness about predatory publishing among the research community

The UGC CARE classification system provides categories for journals, including those indexed in Scopus and Web of Science, as well as journals meeting specified quality criteria in various disciplines. This comprehensive approach ensures coverage across the academic spectrum while maintaining focus on quality metrics and ethical publishing practices.

Understanding Cloned Journals

Cloned journals represent one of the most sophisticated forms of predatory publishing. Unlike illegitimate journals that create new titles, cloned journals imitate established, reputable journals, making them significantly more difficult to detect than traditional predatory publications.

The concept of journal cloning involves creating near-identical replicas of legitimate journals, often using similar titles, identical logos, mimicking website designs, and copying editorial policies. These fraudulent journals attempt to deceive authors by presenting themselves as established publications with recognized reputations in specific academic fields.

Characteristics of Cloned Journals

• Similar or identical names to legitimate journals, often with minor typographical variations
• Website design closely mimicking the original journal's appearance
• Stolen or copied editorial board information from legitimate journals
• Reproduced journal aims, scope, and policies without authorization
• Falsified impact factors and indexing information claimed without verification
• Use of identical or similar ISSN numbers (illegitimately appropriated)
• Mimicked publication frequency and formatting of reputable journals
• Deceptive domain names that closely resemble legitimate journal websites
• Lack of proper contact information or use of fraudulent addresses
• Promises of rapid publication despite claiming rigorous peer-review processes

Methods Used by Cloned Journals

Cloned journals employ various deceptive methods to attract submissions:

• Creating websites that closely resemble legitimate publications
• Sending email invitations resembling those from established journals
• Using stolen editorial board member names to enhance credibility
• Misleading claims about indexing and impact factors
• Copying published papers from legitimate journals to create archives
• Offering unrealistically quick publication timelines
• Requesting submission fees disguised as processing or publication charges

Risks of Publishing in Cloned Journals

Publishing in cloned journals poses several risks to researchers and the academic community:

• Invalid academic credentials and recognition
• Potential rejection during degree evaluation or promotion processes
• Damaged professional reputation among peers and institutions
• Waste of publication fees without legitimate dissemination of research
• Publication in inaccessible platforms with limited visibility
• Legal consequences for academic misconduct or ethical violations
• Loss of opportunities for legitimate publication in recognized journals
• Potential blacklisting by academic institutions

UGC CARE Cloned Journals List

The UGC CARE committee regularly identifies and publishes lists of cloned journals to help researchers avoid these deceptive publications. The following section contains information about known cloned journals that have been identified by UGC CARE.

UGC CARE employs a systematic approach to identifying cloned journals, including regular monitoring of publishing practices, analysis of journals not appearing in approved lists, investigation of complaints from researchers and institutions, and collaboration with international academic bodies.

Categories of Cloned Journals

Cloned journals identified by UGC CARE typically fall into the following categories:

• Journals cloning UGC CARE approved journals within the same or similar disciplines
• Journals cloning Scopus or Web of Science indexed journals from India and abroad
• Journals cloning prestigious international publications across various academic fields
• Journals cloning well-known journals in specific disciplines or research areas
• Journals mimicking reputable publications from major research institutions
• Deceptive duplicates of government or institutional journals

Notable Examples of Cloned Journals

While specific cloned journal names change as new ones appear and old ones get reported, UGC CARE has identified cloning attempts targeting numerous established journals across disciplines. While the complete list of cloned journals is too extensive to enumerate here, some patterns include:

Recent Identification Patterns

UGC CARE has identified several ongoing trends in cloned journal creation:

• Use of hyphens, dashes, or space variations in titles to mimic legitimate journals
• Substitution of similar-looking words (e.g., "Science" with "Scientific" or "Journal" with "Periodical")
• Use of different top-level domains (.net, .org, .in instead of .com) for cloned websites
• Creation of journals with nearly identical ISSN numbers to legitimate publications
• Copying editorial boards from legitimate journals without proper authorization
• Mimicking website structures, layout, and visual elements of reputable journals
• Using publication histories copied from legitimate journals to appear established
• Falsely claiming indexing in databases such as Scopus or Web of Science

Journal Verification Process

To protect against cloned journals, researchers must implement a thorough verification process before submitting their work. The following steps can help authenticate a journal:

Step 1: Cross-Reference with UGC CARE List

Visit the official UGC CARE website to verify if the journal appears in the approved list. If it appears similar to a listed journal but with slight variations (spelling, hyphens, words), approach with caution. The official UGC CARE website provides the most current list of approved journals.

Step 2: Verify the ISSN

Check the official International Standard Serial Number (ISSN) portal to confirm the ISSN's validity and associated publication. Cross-reference the domain with the publisher's official site. Cloned journals often use identical or similar ISSN numbers to legitimate publications without proper authorization.

Step 3: Examine Editorial Board

Legitimate journals have genuine editorial board members who are acknowledged experts in their fields. Verify the editors' credentials by cross-referencing their profiles with their institutional websites. Cloned journals often list real researchers without their consent or knowledge.

Step 4: Check Indexing Claims

Verify indexing claims directly with the indexing databases (Scopus, Web of Science, etc.) rather than relying solely on journal website claims. Many cloned journals falsely claim inclusion in reputable databases, which can be verified by searching those databases directly.

Step 5: Analyze Website Authenticity

Carefully examine the journal's website for authenticity indicators:

• Professional design consistent with established academic websites
• Fully functional pages without broken links or missing content
• Complete and verifiable contact information including physical address
• Clear and consistent submission and peer-review processes
• Transparent publication ethics statements and policies
• Current and archived issues with consistent publication frequency
• Secure domain with appropriate SSL certification
• Clear information about publication fees, if applicable
• Consistent branding, colors, and style throughout the website

Step 6: Review Publication History

Examine the journal's publication history for authenticity:

• Consistent publication schedule as advertised
• Quality of published articles consistent with claimed scope
• Citations in reputable sources and databases
• Presence of the journal in library catalogs and databases
• Reasonable and consistent article citation rates

Step 7: Verify Publisher Credibility

Research the publisher behind the journal:

• Check the publisher's website for professionalism and transparency
• Verify if the publisher is listed in reputable directories (e.g., DOAJ)
• Investigate other journals published by the same entity
• Look for contact information and physical address for the publisher
• Check for member affiliations with publishing associations (COPE, OASPA, SSP, etc.)

Best Practices for Researchers

To maintain academic integrity and avoid cloned journals, researchers should adopt these best practices:

For Submission

• Always verify journal credentials before submission, even if the journal appears reputable
• Consult with mentors, supervisors, or librarians when evaluating unfamiliar journals
• Prefer journals from established and recognized publishers
• Check the journal's peer-review process transparency and policies
• Be cautious of journals with unsolicited invitations to submit manuscripts
• Evaluate publication fees against industry standards
• Review recent publications to assess quality and relevance
• Confirm indexing in reputable databases rather than accepting claimed inclusion

For Institutions

• Create awareness about predatory and cloned journals among faculty and researchers
• Provide access to UGC CARE and other journal evaluation resources
• Establish institutional approval processes for journal selection for academic advancement
• Organize workshops on ethical publishing practices and journal verification
• Maintain updated internal lists of recommended journals for different disciplines
• Create support systems for researchers uncertain about journal legitimacy
• Develop policies promoting ethical publishing practices and academic integrity
• Incorporate journal selection training in researcher development programs

Red Flags to Watch For

Reporting Suspected Cloned Journals

If you encounter a journal you suspect is a clone:

• Contact the original journal to inform them of the potential clone
• Report to UGC CARE through their official channels with supporting evidence
• Warn colleagues and research community members about the suspected clone
• Document evidence of cloning for future reference and reporting
• Provide detailed information including website URLs, email communications, and claimed indexing
• Share your experience with institutional librarians or research support offices
• Consider reporting to international academic databases or indexing services

Ethical Considerations

Beyond avoiding cloned journals, researchers should also consider broader ethical dimensions of publishing:

• Ensuring appropriate authorship credit and contributor roles
• Disclosing conflicts of interest and funding sources
• Following guidelines for conducting and reporting research ethically
• Respecting intellectual property and copyright regulations
• Avoiding duplicate publication or self-plagiarism
• Maintaining integrity throughout the research and publication process

Conclusion

The proliferation of cloned journals represents a significant challenge to academic integrity and the scholarly communication ecosystem. These sophisticated frauds exploit the academic community's desire for publication and recognition while undermining the very foundations of credible research dissemination.

By understanding what cloned journals are, recognizing their characteristics, and implementing thorough verification processes, researchers can protect themselves and contribute to maintaining the quality and authenticity of academic knowledge. The vigilance required to identify cloned journals may seem burdensome, but it remains an essential aspect of responsible academic work.

The UGC CARE initiative provides valuable resources and guidance for researchers navigating the complex publishing landscape. By regularly consulting the UGC CARE list and following best practices for journal selection, researchers can ensure their work achieves the recognition it deserves while maintaining the highest standards of academic integrity.

Remember, publishing in reputable, legitimate journals not only enhances your academic credentials but also contributes meaningfully to the global body of knowledge in your field. Due diligence in journal selection is not merely a protective measure but a fundamental responsibility of every researcher committed to advancing authentic scholarship.

As the academic publishing landscape continues to evolve, so too do the tactics of predatory publishers. Continuous vigilance, education, and collaboration within the academic community are essential to combat the threat of cloned journals and preserve integrity in scholarly communication.