when a research work is published, money comes after...

Today, there are lots of means that exist in order for the researchers to get their name in print. I myself also wanted it. Sometimes, researchers published their works for financial self-interest because it is a great evidence of productivity. This will mean that once a research work is published, money comes after. Who else won’t want it right?


Publishing a research work is similar to completing an experiment. It has been said that a scientific experiment is not complete until the results have been published.¹ But before a research work will be published especially in top-tier journals, it also go through lots of selection process. Research papers that are published in top journals like CSP, ASM or i3E are guarantees that the research is exceptional.

Originality is one credible factor but there are still instances that people are still able to get their work published even if it seems similar to the previous published work. There are papers that are assessed as valuable confirmations rather than as original contributions to knowledge. Another consideration also in assessing a piece of research work is the manuscript topic. Mostly in top tier journals, a hot topic is more likely to be published than a paper dealing with a currently unfashionable subject.

The criteria publishers use as measures for accepting a paper is not a cut-and-dried process, it is infinitely variable and flexible. Many uses peer review for criterion but in particular this is not a simple criterion. Some journals may send an article to three to five reviewers and the editor make an informed judgment by weighing all reviews. Other journals may send an article to a single reviewer and make a simple yes or no decisions based on one review. Some journals may do a lot more editorial work with an author while others take manuscripts more or less as submitted.

Although the review process can be flexible, acceptance criteria are quite typical. Experts consulted offer simple advice for optimizing publishing success and many say influential factors include the need for clarity, originality of thought, completeness and good writing. But I think, mostly in top tier journals most elegant research is usually simple and direct.

However, since we are not all perfect even editors are also human; therefore they can be influenced by a name they recognized. Maybe that is also a reason why many papers includes the name of established scientist among their authors even when the established names may have been contributed little to the work. This kind of practice is frequently used even in some small institutions of peers.

Experiences gained also from previous publishing helps as well. Researchers who have already experienced publishing their research work know some of the pitfalls and obstacles that hinder the publishing process especially in the top-tier journals. Because once a person has developed a skill to publish a paper, the next papers are much easier to publish. Because publishing is the currency in which researches deal.


[1] http://ctl.stanford.edu/Tomprof/postings/316.html