Missed marks: understanding the disconnect of research methodology courses in combating predatory publishing

Predatory publishing remains a significant challenge in developing countries, including India, despite numerous awareness programs and initiatives aimed at sensitizing faculty to scientific writing, research methodology, and publishing ethics. Although research methodology courses are formally included in academic curricula, the “pay-and-publish” culture persists. To investigate this contradiction, we analyzed the research methodology syllabi of 106 NIRF 2021-ranked colleges using stratified random sampling. Our analysis focused on key publication ethics topics, such as predatory journals, plagiarism, and peer review. The findings indicate a strong emphasis on conducting research but a lack of adequate guidance on publishing in reputable journals. We recommend extending PhD-level coursework on research and publication ethics to postgraduate students and providing comprehensive training for faculty to address predatory practices and educate researchers on avoiding such journals. This knowledge is essential for safeguarding academic integrity and improving publication standards.