Deceptive Practices in Scientific Publishing in the Republic of Moldova

Abstract

The article examines the phenomenon of deceptive practices in the publication of scientific results in the Republic of Moldova, with particular emphasis on predatory publishing. Such practices constitute dissemination methods driven by the pursuit of rapid financial gain, undermining research integrity and eroding trust in science. Evidence indicates a significant prevalence of these practices across all scientific fields among researchers in the Republic of Moldova. One such practice is the phenomenon of so-called “ghost conferences”, exemplified by the case of InterConf. The authors also identify domestic manifestations of such practices, including publication in journals that accept manuscripts without peer review, or conferences that publish papers and issue certificates without actual participation. In addition to predatory publishing, the article highlights other deceptive practices: (1) dubious patents, particularly those acquired in the United Kingdom, which fail to meet invention criteria and mislead the scholarly community; and (2) pseudo-scientific rankings, such as the AD Scientific Index or Moldova H-index, which rely on opaque methodologies and promote paid services to artificially inflate visibility. These phenomena appear to stem not only from deliberate attempts at fraud, but also from a deficient research culture, institutional pressures to publish, and the absence of a robust system for regulation and education in research ethics. The authors advocate for the recognition and eradication of such practices through coherent policies and systemic interventions. JEL: I23, I28, O39