To the Editor,
The manuscript of a recently published article entitled ‘Metrics of Science’ in the reputed journal was originally written earlier but still the opinion is true.[1] Authors have mentioned that the volume of research does not automatically guarantee the quality behind it. They are absolutely right in our opinion. In the current time, the number of publications is 10 times more than the previous time, and out of those publications, research studies are very few.[2] Reasons behind the publication spree are either requirements from institute/regularity bodies or getting better opportunities for a strong research profile. However, whatever the reason behind it, at least medical teachers start writing.
The National Medical Commission (NMC) is a regulatory body for the medical college which monitors everything regarding medical teaching, including students as well as teaching faculties. Criteria for the recruitment and promotion of the teaching faculties are given by the NMC. The constant changing and chopping of criteria for promotion also creates a lot of uncertainty.[3] The NMC criteria for promotions though we feel are in the right direction. The reasons behind it, we feel that,
Writing research articles naturally or mentally and publications do not come naturally to most doctors.[4] The curriculum never addressed that issue. So they are wired in mind only to do medical work. Many times they ask, what is the necessity for publication for doctors? By making it compulsory, at least they will be bound to write. Who knows, many of them might then get interested in writing. At least in the last decade, an ecosystem has been now made for publications. Quality will improve once people know the nitty gritty.
Also the burden of writing for promotion is not great. Publishing four research articles over a period of 8 years is not a massive workload, still there are a few faculty members who did not complete the requirements and were not promoted even after so long time.
Quality work will be there even without the lure of promotion. The passionate people will write it and it may not always be in original articles. They can write their own opinion as a letter to the editor, or research experience as a short communication.
And if someone is not interested in writing, but wants promotion, the NMC has still made a provision. They need to have a funded study from various government, semi-government or private central agencies which provide the funds for the research study and also for manuscript writing as well as for publication charges.
So, we want to say that though the number of publications increased during the pandemic time which had low quality, at least some material was added to the review of literature.[5] The larger point we wanted to make is that quality will improve gradually, but let us give it a chance at least. Once a person gets the chance and becomes interested in research writing, definitely the quality will improve in upcoming future.
Reply to “Metrics of Science”.
Financial support and sponsorship
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Conflicts of interest
There are no conflicts of interest.
References
- 1.Gupta H. Metrics of science. J Family Med Primary Care. 2024;13:804–5. doi: 10.4103/jfmpc.jfmpc_2509_22. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
- 2.Das NK, Chate S, Watve S, Mukhida S. Publication spree in medical colleges: Where does this lead us in long term? J Indian Medical Asso. 2023;122:60–1. [Google Scholar]
- 3.Teachers Eligibility Qualifications in Medical Institutions Regulations, 2022. Notice: CG-DL-E-23022022-233681. National Medical Commission. [[Last accessed on 2024 Mar 13]]. Available from: https://www.nmc.org.in/ActivitiWebClient/open/getDocument?path=/Documents/Public/Portal/NmcGazette/TEACHERS%20ELIGIBILITY%20QUALIFICATIONS.pdf .
- 4.Mukhida S, Khan S, Das NK, Patil R, Lekshmi R. Manuscript writer: Are they eligible for authorship in scientific article? If yes, then which place? J I?ndian Medical Asso. 2023;121:76. [Google Scholar]
- 5.Mukhida S, Khan S, Das NK, Patil R, Vyawahare CR. How long time to learn lessons and move on from pandemic? Med J Dr. D. Y. Patil Vidya. 2022;15:960. [Google Scholar]