A Step Toward Leveling the Playing Field

Abstract

Predatory publishing is now recognized as a significant problem within the scholarly communications field with far-reaching consequences. For example, due to various socio-cultural and economic factors, early career researchers in developing countries have been more vulnerable to predatory publishing. While academic libraries in more developed regions are starting to take a leading role in educating researchers about predatory publishing, academic librarians in the developing world need more training to enable them to play a similar role at their institutions. This article reports on a pilot project to develop and deliver a workshop on predatory publishing for academic librarians in Spanish-speaking Latin America. The workshop's content was informed in part by prior studies that triangulated the analysis of a website, questionnaire data, and interviews to gauge the existing knowledge and needs of this target group concerning predatory publishing. The workshop was offered online for librarians at five universities in Latin America. It was largely successful, with most participants reporting that they learned new information and would recommend the workshop to their colleagues. When academic librarians in developing countries have the opportunity to participate in this type of “train the trainers” activity, they will be more empowered to take on leadership roles to combat predatory publishing in their regions.

Keywords

• academic libraries
• developing countries
• predatory publishing
• professional development
• Spanish-speaking Latin Amercia