The proliferation of research articles published in journals that claim to be international has indeed raised several questions regarding the quality and integrity of academic research. These largely online journals refer to themselves as peer-reviewed give a call for submission of articles. In actuality, the editorial boards of these magazines are comprised of prominent academics from reputable universities who are there merely as namesakes. The method of operation is puzzling and interesting. At first, they ask scholars who want to publish to send in their articles, giving the misleading impression that acceptance is conditional upon peer review. After a month or two months, they notify the scholars that their articles have been accepted for publication and demand payment as a processing fee. Peer review journals are expected to return the articles with comments and recommendations for enhancement. However, these things do not occur. The scholars feel excited about receiving the communication regarding the acceptance and publication of their articles. In many instances, the articles published in such online journals carry poor editing and the accessibility of publication of such low-quality articles may not necessarily contribute to important advancements in knowledge in the educational scene.
The increasing reliance on artificial intelligence (AI) techniques, which are helpful but can occasionally be abused to get around rigorous research procedures, exacerbates this problem. PhD students increasingly use these tools to make shortcuts. In truth, they are traditionally expected to engage deeply with literature through extensive library visits and comprehensive reading of scholarly articles and critical books to gain a thorough understanding of the subject. Scholars rarely spend time on reading, taking notes, and formulating their ideas. As a result, the depth and originality of academic work could be compromised by this move away from conventional research techniques like reading foundational literature.
Furthermore, a priority on quantity over quality might result from the temptation to publish in prestigious journals, which is frequently driven by academic measures like impact factors and citation counts. Scholars may feel compelled to produce papers rapidly, sometimes at the expense of rigorous analysis and thoughtful discourse. Due to these twin factors, scholars resort to unfair methods such as copying and pasting by altering the sentence structures. Though journals employ software to detect plagiarism, such software is unreliable. This trend can lower the overall quality of research output, contributing to a cycle where new publications are less about advancing knowledge and more about meeting academic or professional benchmarks.
In view of this grim scenario, academic institutions and researchers have a great responsibility and alike must stress the value of quality above quantity in research to overcome this issue. It is essential to inspire researchers to go back to the sources of in-depth research, critical analysis, and original thought. Furthermore, promoting an atmosphere in which sincere advances in knowledge are prioritised over a mere list of publications may aid in restoring the credibility of scholarly research.
Artificial intelligence systems can improve analysis and reveal trends that might otherwise be missed, which can help advance research. Such tools should be appropriately used and not abused. But rather than taking the place of the rigorous intellectual engagement that characterises high-quality research, the tools need to be used as aids in conjunction with research to improve its quality and not as substitutes.Maintaining the integrity and significance of academic research requires striking a balance between the use of contemporary instruments and established methodologies.
Finally, but just as importantly, academics should pursue research out of a passion for it rather than just earning degrees that will serve as passports to employment. This view needs to be firmly fought because it is one that many researchers thrive on. Research should only be pursued by scholars who are deeply interested in it to advance novel ideas and knowledge; only such scholars should enter the research portals. This will improve academic institutions’ research integrity and quality. Many academics start as teachers and then give up on their research seriously when they get promoted. They publish studies in so-called peer-reviewed journals till they get promoted. This rampant disease must be checked to ensure the credibility of the research in academic institutions.
(Dr. Candy D’ Cunha is an educationist and a freelancer columnist.)