As research students, we all go through that phase of nervousness, fear, and stress of publishing our research papers in good journals. Those corrections, sleepless nights, asking for help from seniors, running behind guides for approval, finding the journal, and the list continues. We all have our own stories. When we return to our memory lane, we see this journey worth cherishing.
But like it is said, every coin has two sides. While students rush to complete the research paper somehow, they miss the quality mark of the matter presented. Less attention is provided to the content, journal selection, and general study methodology.
These mandatory rules gave rise to self-titled “predatory journals”. Predatory journals publish manuscripts in exchange for a price, without the same level of due diligence that academic journals are supposed to provide. This paved paths for journal business culture.
Considering that quality of research should be given priority rather than mandatory publication The University Grants Commission (UGC) has planned to discontinue with the compulsory obligation of publishing research papers in peer-reviewed journals for the submission of a Ph.D. thesis. New rule 2022 regulation will see the commission replacing the phrase “mandatory” with “strongly recommended”
As a researcher, this is a piece of very thought-provoking news. Will this decision promote quality research or will this slow down the research enthusiasm among researchers? What is your take on this?