In many universities, both at the master's and Ph.D. levels, it has become commonplace for students to fulfill a graduation requirement by publishing an article in an international scientific journal. The study sought to investigate the potential benefits of the graduation requirement to publish an article on the advancement of scientific literature. The findings suggest that the rule of publishing an article to graduate is a controversial issue. On one hand, students may lack the full responsibility of designing and conducting their studies, which may impact the quality of the research. On the other hand, the peer review process associated with publishing an article is helpful in objectively evaluating its scientific merit. In light of this, it is evident that improving the educational and journal systems is necessary to reduce the stress of publish-or-perish among researchers.
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There are several reasons why the requirement of publishing articles as a mandatory condition for academic advancement can be problematic for students. Firstly, the proposal of studies must be approved by supervisors and other academicians, meaning that students cannot select a thesis or manuscript topic without their approval. As a result, students should not be held responsible for rejections since they are not entirely independent in the planning process from the beginning. The lack of autonomy in selecting research topics, the potential for rejections and modifications, the pressure to prioritize quantity over quality, and the potential impact on students with additional responsibilities can additionally all contribute to the problematic nature of this requirement. It is important for academic institutions consider the individual circumstances and needs of students when setting such requirements to ensure a fair and equitable academic environment, and also a healthy one. TNHE providers can lead in this respect as their practices have the ability to transcend geographic boarders and promote good positive practice.
Secondly, publishing success is not always related to the efforts of the student alone. Funding-related problems, ethical permission-related issues, or administrative delays may cause delays in the publishing process. This can be especially problematic for students who are working with limited financial resources and may not have the necessary support to overcome these challenges. The availability of financial resources can impose constraints on the design of a study. To tackle these challenges, a comprehensive approach is needed, which involves enhancing funding opportunities for students, streamlining ethical approval procedures, and improving administrative effectiveness. In addition, the pressure to publish can result in students avoiding proposing novel study proposals and instead opting for repetitive studies to meet publication requirements. This can lead to a decrease in the creativity and quality of research, as well as a potential waste of resources. As the use of publication metrics for academic career advancement can further exacerbate this issue. The pressure to publish and related motivational factors may lead researchers to therefore imitate successful features of articles in an attempt to increase their chances of success. This can result in a proliferation of very similar papers, potentially leading to a lack of originality and innovation in the field. Overall, the pressure to publish, coupled with the use of publication metrics for academic career advancement, can hinder creativity, innovation, and the overall quality of research. It is crucial for the academic community to promote a balanced approach that values both the quantity and the originality, significance, and rigor of research. By fostering an environment that encourages novel and impactful studies, we can ensure the progress and advancement of knowledge in our respective fields.