Understanding Predatory Journals

by
Anna Biszaha, MLIS

What Are Predatory Journals?

The term “predatory” is used to describe journals and publishers that engage in unethical publishing practices to make money. They lack rigor and standards in their editorial processes, which can then lead to questionable science making its way to publication.

Learn with Us! Health Sciences Library (HSL) Spring Workshops

Check out the HSL's Spring 2026 workshop lineup!

The Health Sciences Library (HSL) librarians hold educational workshops each semester, geared towards The Ohio State University and Wexner Medical Center clinicians, researchers, faculty, staff and learners. Note that individuals outside of the health sciences are welcome to register, but please be aware that the content of the workshops may be more health sciences-focused.

Date
2026-04-09T13:00:00
End Time
2026-04-09T14:00:00
Summary
Did you know that HSL subscribed resources provide a variety of exam prep, study tools, and other interactive resources? Join us to see highlights of these tools and learn how to use them.
Posting Date
2026-03-15T12:00:00

Interactive Tools for Self-Assessment, Case Files, and Exam Prep through the HSL Workshop

Thursday, April 9
1 – 2 p.m. EDT
Online Workshop led by Joe Payne, Associate Professor of Practice, HSL Collection Development Librarian of Resource Management

Date
2026-03-25T12:00:00
End Time
2026-03-25T13:00:00
Summary
Join us for an interactive workshop to learn how to translate PubMed searches to Embase searches. This session will provide you with the skills to identify the similarities and differences between PubMed and Embase and how to construct similar searches, which is particularly helpful when developing search strategies for systematic or scoping reviews.
Posting Date
2026-03-01T12:00:00

Translating Search Strategies from PubMed to Embase for Systematic Reviews Workshop

Wednesday, March 25
Noon – 1 p.m. EDT
Online Workshop led by Kerry Dhakal, Associate Professor, HSL Research and Education Librarian

Date
2026-03-11T12:00:00
End Time
2026-03-11T13:00:00
Summary
Join us for an interactive workshop focused on SciENcv, the federal government system for creating NIH and NSF biosketches. SciENcv is already required by NSF, and NIH is expected to adopt it soon. This session will introduce you to SciENcv and guide you through creating and maintaining a compliant biosketch.
Posting Date
2026-02-15T12:00:00

Mastering SciENcv Workshop

Wednesday, March 11
Noon – 1 p.m. EDT
Online Workshop led by Kaylie Vermillion, HSL Research and Education Research Librarian

Date
2026-03-03T12:00:00
End Time
2026-03-03T13:00:00
Summary
Join us for a collaborative workshop where we will discuss instructional approaches encouraging students to critically engage with GenAI using their disciplinary knowledge.
Posting Date
2026-02-15T12:00:00

Developing Their Expertise: Health Science Students and Gen AI Workshop

Tuesday, March 3
Noon – 1 p.m. EST
Online Workshop led by Katie Blocksidge, Associate Professor, Head, Research and Education Services 

Date
2026-02-25T12:00:00
End Time
2026-02-25T13:00:00
Summary
Join us for an introductory session to searching the health sciences literature using Generative Artificial Intelligence (Gen AI) tools compared to current literature searching best practices in the context of Evidence-Based Practice (EBP).
Posting Date
2026-02-01T12:00:00

AI and Literature Reviews in the Health Sciences Workshop

Wednesday, February 25
Noon – 1 p.m. EST
Online Workshop led by Kerry Dhakal, Associate Professor, HSL Research and Education Librarian

Join us for an introductory session to searching the health sciences literature using Generative Artificial Intelligence (Gen AI) tools compared to current literature searching best practices in the context of Evidence-Based Practice (EBP).

Date
2026-02-16T15:00:00
End Time
2026-02-16T16:30:00
Summary
Join us for an advanced session on searching in PubMed. This database is one of the top resources to search for almost any health science topic, and the workshop will provide a deeper look at how the database is structured and strategies to refine and optimize your searches.
Posting Date
2026-02-01T12:00:00

PubMed Expert Searching Workshop

Monday, February 16
3 – 4:30 p.m. EST
Online Workshop led by Anna Biszaha, Assistant Professor, HSL Research and Education Librarian

Join us for an advanced session on searching in PubMed.  This database is one of the top resources to search for almost any health science topic, and the workshop will provide a deeper look at how the database is structured and strategies to refine and optimize your searches.

Date
2026-02-10T15:00:00
End Time
2026-02-10T16:00:00
Summary
Join us for an interactive workshop dedicated to Zotero, a user-friendly citation management tool. This session will provide you with the skills you need to effectively collect, organize, and cite your research sources using Zotero.
Posting Date
2026-02-01T12:00:00

Zotero 101: A Beginner’s Guide to Citation Management Workshop

Tuesday, February 10
3 – 4 p.m. EST
Online Workshop led by Kaylie Vermillion, HSL Research and Education Research Librarian

Join us for an interactive workshop dedicated to Zotero, a user-friendly citation management tool.  This session will provide you with the skills you need to effectively collect, organize, and cite your research sources using Zotero.

Date
2026-02-03T14:00:00
End Time
2026-02-03T15:00:00
Summary
The new 2024 NIH Public Access Policy went into effect on July 1, 2025 and requires that NIH-funded researchers make their articles publicly available through PubMed Central immediately upon the publication date. This informational session will provide an overview of the new policy, as well as tips for ensuring you stay compliant.
Posting Date
2025-01-01T10:00:00

Introduction to the 2024 NIH Public Access Policy: Strategies for Compliance Workshop

Tuesday, February 3
2 – 3 p.m. EST
Online Workshop led by Anna Biszaha, Assistant Professor, HSL Research and Education Librarian

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