LAUSR

This review X-rays the issue of illegitimate (predatory) academic publishing of books, monographs, journals and conference proceedings which is a topical issue globally as a result of the damage it does to academic quality and the society. It looks at the dilemma faced by researchers in developing countries in terms of publishing research results. It tries to give clear descriptions of the qualities of legitimate and illegitimate academic publishers and academic conference organizers. It suggests several solutions and protocols for addressing illegitimate publishing at the levels of individual researchers; institutions and learned societies; government and society; and international and regional groups with due attention paid to country-specific conditions and academic inequalities between the developed and developing world. Since the issue affects both researchers in developed and developing countries, a sustainable global action at the highest levels of government is advocated in the drive to reduce illegitimate academic publishing to the barest minimum globally.