(19 Mar 2025) The CAS Journal Ranking Team releases Early Warning Journal List 2025(EWL)!
The 2025 edition of the EWL targets two key concerns: 1) Academic misconduct that jeopardizes the integrity of the scientific research ecosystem, including practices like Citation Manipulation and operation of Paper Mills; 2) Inappropriate actions that hinder the global dissemination of specific country’s scholarly work and the efficient utilization of publishing funds.
Both categories represent critical challenges and problems in the development of a robust scientific research ecosystem. As such, the 2025 EWL no longer segregates journals based on different levels of warning risk.
It’s important to emphasize that the EWL should not be used in conjunction with lists from previous years. Journals previously listed but have shown significant improvement after corrective measures will be excluded from the subsequent year’s list and will no longer be considered warned journals.
Moreover, it’s essential to understand that the EWL is not a critique of individual papers nor does it discredit every publication in the warned journals. Its primary aim is to guide researchers in making prudent choices about where to publish their work and to encourage publishers to enhance their journal quality management.
The selection principles of the EWL are based on objectivity, prudence, and transparency. The CAS Journal Ranking team aspires to collaborate with the scientific community, research administrators, journals, and publishers to reinforce scientific integrity and foster an ethical and transparent academic milieu.
Source: National Science Library of the Chinese Academy of Sciences
