Thousands of scientists inflate their CVs with self-published studies
16 days ago
- #research-ethics
- #open-access
- #academic-publishing
- Scientists inflate CVs with self-published studies costing millions in public funds.
- Analysis shows 1 in 8 special issues contain articles by the editor, especially at MDPI.
- PISS (Published In Support of Self) describes this phenomenon of self-serving publications.
- Special issues, once selective, now flood the market, inviting mediocre researchers to edit.
- Open access shifts costs to authors, with institutions pushing for more publications for promotions.
- Over 1,000 special issues annually have more than a third of studies authored by editors.
- Examples include MDPI's Processes and Nutrients journals with high editor authorship rates.
- Researchers estimate €33-87 million spent on PISS over 11 years, based on a conservative €2,000 per study.
- MDPI, Frontiers, and Hindawi show high rates of self-authored studies in special issues.
- Calls for sanctions and exclusion of such works in academic evaluations to curb misuse.
- MDPI defends its practices, citing safeguards like a 25% cap on editor-authored studies.
- The 'publish or perish' culture is identified as a root cause of the problem.