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For better results, fuel research

If you take a look around, from the phones we use to the food we eat to the medicines we are prescribed, every aspect of our lives is rooted in research. In fact, academic research is the backbone of a country’s development.

For better results, fuel research


Abhishek Goel

If you take a look around, from the phones we use to the food we eat to the medicines we are prescribed, every aspect of our lives is rooted in research. In fact, academic research is the backbone of a country’s development. It helps the authorities to understand and find solutions to complex problems such as climate change, national security, and life-threatening diseases. 

In countries at the forefront of ground-breaking research, academic institutions play a crucial role in furthering research output. Beyond facilities for general education, these provide thriving research environments that facilitate students to explore their innovative side. 

This, however, has proved to be our Achilles heel as well. Despite producing several internationally acclaimed Indian researchers, we have lagged behind in becoming a dominant scientific force. This brings us to the question: Are we doing enough to nurture our research landscape?  

The missing link 

Time and again, questions have been raised about the research culture of our country. In India, higher education and the research sector tend to operate in isolation. Due to lack of a platform that can help make an easy transition from learners to researchers, a career in research is rarely on a student’s mind. 

While we might not have been very successful in empowering our institutions, there is a silver lining to this cloud. According to a report published by the International Association of Scientific, Technical and Medical Publishers in October 2018, India’s publication output has seen a rapid growth and we’re ahead of Germany, the UK and Japan in terms of publication volume. 

The world is now looking at India as an important contributor to global research. However, when it comes to publication quality, the Indian landscape is marred by rampant issues of plagiarism and questionable journals. 

Unfortunately, India is home to several debatable or ‘predatory’ journals. These journals are willing to publish any piece of ‘scientific’ literature in exchange for money and guarantee quick publication without assessing the quality of the research paper. Usually, unsuspecting authors pay fees only to realise that the journal is counterfeit. The same also reflects in the lack of awareness among researchers and the inability of statutory bodies to monitor bogus publishers. 

Go for genuine journals

While most authors unwittingly publish in predatory journals, acute pressure to publish might drive some to willingly take the unethical route. To boost research uptake and output, several medical and academic institutions mandate that their faculty publish a certain number of papers to qualify for promotions. As a result, journals that promise quick publication are likely to allure researchers. 

Awareness is important

To increase the impact of our research, authors must be educated about ethical publishing practices. For this, researchers can seek professional publication support, publication-related training, and academic-editing services. Qualified scientific editors understand the challenges authors face as well as the expectations of reputed journals from research papers. They can, therefore, help authors weed out concerns related to plagiarism and predatory journals. As an academically inclined nation that has produced some of the world’s brightest minds, we have it in us to unravel the secrets of this universe. Now, with the thrust placed on scientific research and science communication, India is in a unique position to establish itself as a research-focused nation. 

Plagarism, a reality

Indian research is also plagued by plagiarism, which refers to appropriating any published work without giving its owner the due credit. Plagiarism is a globally prevalent problem, but its roots in India probably lie in the learning and assessment practices that often encourage rote erudition. Lack of awareness among academics regarding ethical publishing practices is another issue to deal with. 

It is a well-known fact that conducting research involves huge investment in terms of time, money, and resources. So when researchers bypass ethics and publish papers to boost their CV, they can set back the developmental pace of our country and paint a dismal picture of our research sector in the international arena. 

To emerge as a superpower, we must address our weaknesses in the research and publication sectors. Also, institutions should be empowered to assist students  interested in research.

—The writer is co-founder & CEO, Cactus Communications

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