Publish or perish

Definition

'Publish or perish' is a phrase used in academia that emphasizes the pressure on researchers and academics to regularly publish their work in order to secure funding, promotions, and job stability. This culture has grown significantly alongside the rise of research universities and graduate education, where the quantity and quality of published research often serve as critical benchmarks for evaluating academic success. The expectation to produce published research can shape the focus of scholars, affecting their choice of topics, methodologies, and even collaborations within the academic community.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. 'Publish or perish' pressures academics to produce a high volume of research, leading to concerns about quality versus quantity in scholarly work.
2. The competitive nature of research universities has intensified the expectation to publish regularly, influencing career advancement opportunities for faculty.
3. This culture can lead to an emphasis on publishing in prestigious journals, sometimes at the expense of innovative or unconventional research topics.
4. In response to 'publish or perish', some institutions are now exploring alternative measures of scholarly impact, such as community engagement or interdisciplinary collaboration.
5. The rise of digital publishing has transformed how researchers disseminate their work, creating new avenues for publication but also increasing the pressure to maintain visibility in a crowded field.

Review Questions

• How does the 'publish or perish' culture affect the types of research topics chosen by academics?
  • 'Publish or perish' can lead researchers to select topics that are more likely to yield publishable results rather than exploring innovative or risky ideas. This pressure may encourage academics to follow current trends or established areas of study instead of pursuing groundbreaking or interdisciplinary research. Consequently, this can stifle creativity and limit diversity in scholarly inquiry as faculty aim for publication rather than exploration.
• What are some potential negative impacts of the 'publish or perish' mentality on academic integrity and collaboration?
  • 'Publish or perish' can foster a competitive atmosphere that prioritizes individual achievements over collaborative efforts. Researchers may feel compelled to cut corners or engage in questionable practices, such as salami-slicing studies into smaller parts for multiple publications. This mentality can also hinder collaboration, as academics might hesitate to share ideas and resources that could potentially result in co-authored works that dilute their own publication count.
• Evaluate how 'publish or perish' has evolved with the growth of research universities and graduate education, and predict its future implications for academia.
  • 'Publish or perish' has evolved into a foundational principle within research universities and graduate education, reflecting the growing emphasis on measurable outcomes for academic success. As more universities adopt this model, we may see an increasing reliance on metrics like publication counts for hiring and promotion decisions. In the future, this could lead to an even greater push for innovative metrics that account for collaborative work, public engagement, and societal impact, balancing traditional expectations with broader definitions of academic contributions.

Related terms

Peer review: 'Peer review' is a process in which scholars evaluate each other's research before it is published, ensuring the work meets quality standards and contributes to the field.

Academic tenure: 'Academic tenure' is a permanent position granted to educators and researchers after a probationary period, providing job security and freedom to pursue research interests without fear of losing their job.

Research funding: 'Research funding' refers to financial support provided for academic research projects, often contingent upon the demonstration of productivity through publications and impactful findings.