p.s., “Grade is determined by proofreaders, …” (From the linked page: http://www.spp-j.com/editorial_policy.php#link5_2) So at least there are proof readers. This actually makes some sense (although it’s slightly random): pay for value delivered; if you are going to work the proofreaders, you get to pay for the privilege. Actually, nothing in this seems senseless or evil, just slightly random – perhaps poorly thought out. I give them points for creativity, and for being up front about it all (although they could use a copy editor on their web site). Having to pay the entry fee to get a prize is completely normal. And prizes, although weird in academic journals, aren’t the worst thing in the world; conferences give out best student paper prizes all the time. (Which I personally hate bcs it creates un-necessary competition between students! But it’s what’s done, so a cash prize from a journal … dunno that that’s all that bad. As you point out, not enough to make me send a paper, but if I was from a country where it was cheap … ?) And 15% off the crowd sourcing…? Again, they need to keep the lights on somehow.
All in all this all seems pretty tame, and even slightly interesting.
(As previously discussed, it is not the job of the publisher nor reviewers to look for plagiarism, just their job to respond it once pointed out. But that hasn’t happened here, yet, so let’s try not to go down that rathole again! :-)
