In the peer-review process, journals ask outside experts to assess the methodology and importance of submissions before accepting then.“These positions are filled because a person has a high research profile and a solid research record. figured on Beall’s list, which has since been taken offline.The journals were drawn equally from three directories: one listing reputable titles available through subscriptions, with a second devoted to “open access” publications.One journal suggested “Ms Fraud” organise a conference after which presenters would be charged for a special issue.Paris: Dozens of scientific journals appointed a fictive scholar to their editorial boards on the strength of a bogus resume, researchers determined to expose “pay to publish” schemes reported recently.“It is our pleasure to add your name as our editor-in-chief for this journal, with no responsibilities”, responded one within days.The third was a blacklist — compiled by University of Colorado librarian Jeffrey Beall — of known Motor bearings Company or suspected “predatory journals” that make money by extracting fees from authors.The other eight were from the open-access registry.“One does not become an editor by sending in a CV,” came one reply.Their rise “threatens the quality of scholarship”, she added.Despite this inside joke, the probe of academic integrity at hundreds of science journals — some reputed, others already on a blacklist — was dead serious.In this case, the publishers padding their mastheads failed to notice that their new recruit’s name — Anna O. No one made any attempt to contact the university listed on the fake CV, and few probed her obviously spotty experience.