Scientific Publishing

Journal Impact Factor (JIF), also referred to as IF, assesses journals by tracking the frequency of article citations. This metric is determined by dividing the number of citations within a specific year by the number of citable articles published in the preceding two years. JIF is published annually for journals listed in the Web of Science core collection, aiding in positioning a journal's relative value within its field. In contrast, alternative indicators, known as altmetrics, gauge social engagement and online impact by monitoring mentions across social media platforms, blogs, Wikipedia, patents, and policy documents. Emerging rankings are now incorporating these alternative metrics to provide another competitive evaluation. The emphasis on IF and other metics-based rankings has led to a culture of publish or perish, compelling researchers and institutions to adopt questionable practices to secure publication in high-ranking journals. The question arises: should the current me...

Scientific misconduct, a concerning trend on the rise, raises questions about the nature and trustworthiness of research. It has implications for society as fraudulent science hurts progress. Premium academic journals take a stand by issuing expressions of concern about papers suspected of containing falsified, manipulated, or non-reproducible data. The paper is retracted if proven to harbour an integrity flaw via an investigation. These actions underscore the importance of upholding transparency by correcting the scientific record.

Vlog by Professor Khalid Khan explains how predatory publishing exploits authors by prioritising financial gain over the integrity of scientific research. These journals target authors with the promise of quick publication, often preying on inexperienced researchers who may not be familiar with standard publishing practices. In many cases, these journals lack proper peer review processes, putting the credibility of the published work at risk. Can an article published by a predatory journal be withdrawn? Authors who realize they have been tricked by predatory journals often face challenges when trying to withdraw their submissions. Legal threats and demands for compensation by predatory journals can deter them from disassociating themselves from these unscrupulous practices. This situation not only undermines genuine research efforts but also poses a threat to the scientific community's trust and progress. Can genuine journals offer a solution to legitimate authors who have been tri...

Usefulness of health research: This vlog is presented by Professor Khalid Khan and Dr Janneke van 't Hooft.