Paper Mills in Scholarly Publishing: A Systematic Review of Their Prevalence, Detection, and Impact on Research Integrity

Paper mills, organized entities that produce and sell fraudulent academic manuscripts, pose a critical threat to the integrity of scholarly publishing. This systematic review synthesizes existing literature from 2010 to 2025 to examine the prevalence of paper mills, the methods used to detect them, and their overall impact on the academic landscape. Peer-reviewed studies, editorials, retraction notices, and credible reports were analyzed across databases including Scopus, Web of Science, PubMed. Results indicate a rising trend in paper mill activity, especially in biomedical and engineering disciplines. Detection techniques have evolved from manual editorial oversight to algorithmic screening tools. The consequences are profound, affecting journal credibility, institutional reputation, and public trust in science. This review underscores the need for coordinated, multi-stakeholder interventions to safeguard research integrity.