D3. Optional Reflective Activity - choosing a journal

Consider the following situation:

Tao is a PhD student writing a paper with his professor and a a senior academic from another university. The theory part of their paper is solid and experiments show that their results could have important practical applications. Tao’s professor is under significant pressure from the university to publish in high impact journals only. The senior academic’s university has ruled that all their research must be published in open access journals if one is available. Authors feel there is only one journal that satisfies both universities, but it is not a perfect fit.

This journal has a slow publication cycle and their research needs to be re-focused to fit the journal well. If the paper was rejected, it could mean more than a year before they could consider re-submission.

Tao has an additional challenge: he has to graduate within a year and needs the article to complete his thesis. He does not need a quality publication, and can not afford to delay for more than a year.

Reflect on the following questions

What are the ethical issues, principles and questions in this case?

• Do you consider this situation to relate primarily to stakeholders, principles, or

  outcomes?

• What values are involved?

• Are there any rules or guidelines to be considered?

• How would you advise Tao in this situation?

• Do you think the situation would be possible for you?

• How would you reduce the risk of this type of situation developing?

(You can print this activity from the link below)