The role of papers in academic promotion

Writing research papers and books as well as publishing in scientific journals are very important in universities’ scientific promotion. They have a veto-like role in promotion procedure. Reaching high level in academic procedure is valuable, provided that scientific activities reach the highest points and, above all, can be used in solving each country’s internal problems. Here, by papers, I do not refer to fake and stolen papers; I am referring to those papers which researchers and the authors consider to be true papers but they are not, since they seem to be artificial, or the variables used in them are insignificant, or they are of no use to the society’ interests and do not increase one’s knowledge. It is said that some scientific groups are jealous of others’ promotion and do not want to increase the number of members of their team. It may be true, but we must also take into account that the true ranking level of universities is much more important. I should mention that in some scientific groups, besides self-citation, team citations occur frequently, which takes place when authors cite their teammates’ works. In some countries such as Iran, there is more attention to ISI citations, while it should not be the main element in academic promotion. Some foreign journals might accept weak papers because they offer some new information about their countries or they may help other countries’ projects, but they are useless in terms of own countries. It is very bad that for some writers of articles, external acceptance is more valuable than its inner usability. This also the case for the Ministry of Science, Research and Technology (MSRT)’s preferences, policy and its scientific management. It is mostly heard that some professors have been listed among the top one percent of authors in the world. This matters without taking into consideration that how a professor can reach to this position and how he/she can write or mange these number of articles by himself and also without taking into consideration whether it is right for a professor to appropriating a student’s work. Furthermore, it is more important to ask how these articles can solve their home counties’ problems. We have a proverb that “science which is used without capability is like a tree without fruit”. Of course, it must be mentioned that judgment for professors regarding their colleagues’ scientific promotion is not easy by itself. But this toughness and complexity must be a good criterion for promotion. Therefore, one may have not so many articles published but has the capability to criticize others’ works instead. Unfortunately, the MSRT has no idea of this. I suggest that a person’s paper or book should be reviewed and criticized by his colleagues first, before and after its publication, considering its gains for local, national or international interests. This can prevent copying and worthless writings.