Google Scholar might seem like the best collection of information to search, but it still has limitations. Be aware:
- While some library databases are interdisciplinary, many are discipline specific and deep--whereas Google Scholar tends to be broad and shallow.
- Library databases provide multiple means of sorting results, Google Scholar does not.
- Library databases provide multiple means of refining searches. Google Scholar does not.
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Library databases are indexed by professionals and/or AI; Google Scholar 's metadata depends upon the source.
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Predatory Journals are likely to be found within Google Scholar, but rarely in PubMed and CINAHL.
- “Predatory journals and publishers are entities that prioritize self-interest at the expense of scholarship and are characterized by false or misleading information, deviation from best editorial and publication practices, a lack of transparency, and/or the use of aggressive and indiscriminate solicitation practices.”
- Active, peer-reviewed scholarly journals have been increasing by about 2% a year and the number of articles published has been increasing over 5% each year--and academic publishing is a formidable industry estimated to be worth over $28 billion. (International Association of Scientific, Technical, and Medical Publishers. (2022) STM Global Brief 2021 – Economics & Market Size.)
- Anyone can purchase a domain and build a website--you, too, can be your very own predatory publisher--Yikes!
Quotation and Illustration (illus.by David Parkins) from https://www.nature.com/articles/d41586-019-03759-y
