MDPI is one of the largest open access publishers in the world. They publish over 390 peer reviewed journals. They are also the fifth largest publisher overall in terms of journal paper output.
Acceptance rates
If you are not sure which journal to submit your work to, you might want to take a look at MDPI journals. These are publications that are ideal for developing economies and those with high impact factors.
As the name suggests, these journals boast a high acceptance rate. In fact, in 2015, about half of the papers submitted to MDPI journals were accepted. In the last three years, the average time from submission to publication has gotten significantly shorter. The mean time from acceptance to publication is now down to nine days.
However, MDPI is more than just a speedy publisher. It uses a variety of methods to deliver an efficient workflow. It also employs a large number of editorial staff per journal. They typically have advanced degrees in the field of the journal and they review articles. They have a small but profitable profit margin per article.
The top MDPI journals have a very impressive array of revenue generating offerings. They have an OA APC, a subscription model, a subscription service, and a plethora of special issues.
New titles launched in 2021
The American Chemical Society (ACS) is planning nine new journals that will be fully open access in the future. The journals will maintain the high standards of ACS publications, and offer a unique venue for researchers to share their work. They will also be licensed under a CC-BY-NC-ND license.
Energy & Environmental Materials is an international journal that publishes research on the fundamental aspects of energy and the environment. It features interdisciplinary studies on transport, climate, and clean energy. It also addresses the effects of energy conversion and societal impacts. Its articles are of significant general interest, and its editors encourage submissions from all related scientific areas.
Remote Sensing in Ecology and Conservation is a multidisciplinary forum for the dissemination of high-quality research and discussion. It features papers on the application of remote sensing to ecological and conservation issues. It aims to promote interdisciplinary studies that address the interface of remote sensing science and ecology. It also covers data acquisition by hand-held sensors, and the use of satellites and other technologies.
APC structure
The Open Access article processing charge (APC) is a charge levied on the publication of an article. It is the most common method of paying for the dissemination of scientific research articles, but it is not free. An APC can range from hundreds of dollars to over $5 000.
The APC is generally paid by the author, but can also be funded by the authors’ institutions. The charge is negotiated by the publisher.
There are many factors that determine the APC. It depends on the open access type and journal prestige. Some journals have a low APC, while others have a high one. In addition, it may be a requirement for the article to be accepted or it may be waived by the publisher.
The cost of the APC is often negotiated by the author’s institution, but it is also sometimes paid by the author’s research funder. However, the APC should not be confused with other charges associated with the publication of an article, such as submission and review fees.
Scepticism about the quality of MDPI journals
In the last few years, MDPI has encountered some criticism regarding its quality of publications. There is a range of factors contributing to the decline in MDPI’s reputation, including a growing number of retractions.
Some of these are related to authorship issues, funding and duplicate publication. Others are due to plagiarism or experiments that were misrepresented. There is also an allegation that MDPI is recruiting a large number of scholars without their permission.
In some cases, there is no clear understanding of the role of the editorial board. In addition, many researchers complain about the high volume of unsolicited emails they receive from MDPI. These emails are often based in fields outside the recipient’s expertise. The company uses a central database to check the size and content of mailings.
Some researchers have had positive experiences publishing in MDPI journals. But other scientists have found that the organization is misleading and does not offer a comprehensive overview of its activities.
A former scientist, Dr Xin Ge, has been arguing that MDPI is a predatory publisher. His accusations are wildly exaggerated, but they are a serious problem.
