In a recent development, the National Science Library of the Chinese Academy of Sciences (NSLC) made public the highly anticipated 2024 edition of its "Early Warning Journal List" on February 19, 2024. Unlike previous iterations categorized by Low, Medium, and High-risk designations, this updated list now specifies types of academic misconduct or publishing practices associated with each journal.
Among the 24 journals featured in the list, attention was drawn to four journals affiliated with MDPI, which were singled out for alleged "citation manipulation." Notably, this citation manipulation did not involve journal self-citation. In response to these grave allegations, MDPI, a leading open-access publisher, has launched an immediate investigation to address the concerns raised by NSLC.
"Citation manipulation is a violation of best practice," remarked MDPI in a statement, emphasizing their unequivocal stance on ethical publishing standards. Authors submitting manuscripts to MDPI journals are expected to adhere strictly to the institution's Citation Policies, ensuring the inclusion of only relevant citations.
MDPI has initiated open lines of communication with the Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS), furnishing a detailed explanation of the circumstances and requesting a re-evaluation of their journals' status. It is noteworthy that five out of seven MDPI journals previously listed in the 2021 roster and the three included in the 2023 list have since been removed, underscoring MDPI's unwavering commitment to collaboration and strict adherence to best practices.
As the dialogue between MDPI and CAS unfolds, the scientific community awaits further updates on the outcome of the investigation and the subsequent status of the implicated journals.
Click here to read the original press release.
