How Do Academicians Publish More Research Papers for Their Promotion and Positions? A Scrutiny of CV

The high number of publications by academicians raises doubts about how it is possible within their service period. Even if they start publishing work from their date of birth, it is still considered impossible. Therefore, this article emphasizes the scrutiny of CVs and reveals that academicians usually accomplish their work with the support of scholars/researchers. It seems that the work is typically not done solely by the efforts of academicians themselves. As a result, governments should take necessary steps to evaluate the CVs of academicians in the promotion and appointment process for higher positions.


Background
Research papers in peer-reviewed academic journals, research work presented in proceedings of seminars/conferences, books with ISBN, undertaking major and minor research projects, and providing research guidance for PhD scholars are mandatory for promotions from assistant professor to associate professor, associate professor to professor, and for higher positions such as principal (colleges), Dean, Registrar, and Vice-chancellor in Indian colleges/universities (Meera Shanker, 2021). It is marvelous that such promotions and higher positions in Indian colleges/universities are filled by qualified academicians who meet all the criteria for each promotion and position.
However, there are several factors affecting the fulfillment of criteria by each applicant for these promotions and higher positions. Research usually begins during professional courses like M.Phil and PhD. At the beginning of their research tenure, researchers dedicate their own money, time, health, and happiness to be actively involved in academic pursuits under the guidance of supervisors. The existing fact in the research world is that scholars/researchers often contribute significantly to the work that supports the research supervisors' promotions and higher positions, both directly and indirectly. The author reviewed numerous curriculum vitae of associate professors, professors, principals, Deans, registrars, and Vice-chancellors. They have a large number of publications, with a minimum of 300 research papers published in peer-reviewed journals. Achieving such a number of publications is seemingly impossible even if we calculate with a minimum of two publications per year from their birth. Moreover, the peer-reviewed journals usually take a minimum of 90 days for peer review and six months for publication (if accepted) from the date of submission (https://taylorandfrancis.com/partnership/commercial/accelerated-publication/). Despite this, they manage to do it.
Consequently, the author scrutinized their CVs and identified several malpractices and errors in the system concerning the given criteria for promotions and academic higher positions. Some of their usual academic habits with their scholars and other associates are given below.

Order of Authorship
Being the first author in research papers is of utmost importance for gaining maximum marks in criteria fulfillment for promotions and academic higher positions. Typically, the entire research paper is written by scholars/researchers in collaboration with their supervisors. The supervisors often compel them to include their name as the first author to gain more recognition. This practice has been in use for several years. However, with the introduction of the University Grants Commission (UGC) regulations in 2009, which require the scholars' names to be listed first when submitting the thesis in any Indian University, the situation has changed. Now, the name of the research supervisor can be placed as the second author. As a result, some academicians who seek promotion and higher academic positions exploit this arrangement and urge the scholars to write numerous research papers, benefiting the academicians' academic records with a status of Qeios, CC-BY 4.0 · Article, August 1, 2023 Qeios ID: SUQI5Y · https://doi.org/10.32388/SUQI5Y 2/4 being the second author. This practice has been accepted by the panel of evaluators based on the given criteria for promotions and academic higher positions. Consequently, they can publish a high number of research papers. However, it is evident that most of the work (except for a few) is not done by the academicians themselves but by the scholars/researchers (Tress Academic, 2021).

Financial Contributors
It is well-known that academicians often collaborate with other academicians from different states and worldwide. In some instances, academicians make arrangements where someone else conducts the research work, and in return, the assisting academicians provide financial support for the article to be published under their name as co-authors. This practice allows academicians to publish a high number of research papers.

Friendly Associations
Academicians maintain friendly relationships with other academicians within their state and region. Additionally, some of them hold positions in the publication teams of various national and international journals. With the support of these friendly associations, academicians are able to publish a high number of publications. Consequently, without putting in significant personal efforts, academicians in colleges and Indian Universities can produce an extensive list of publications to meet the criteria for promotion and academic higher positions.

Necessary Academic Reforms
Considering the facts mentioned above, the government should initiate changes in the academic criteria for promotions and higher academic positions. Research papers published with academicians listed as second or in any other order should not be considered as their own publications. While a debate might arise on the matter of research supervisors' contributions, it should be recognized that their guidance to scholars/researchers is indeed significant. However, it should be noted that providing guidance is part of their job, and they receive remuneration for it. Nevertheless, it is not mandatory for their names to be placed as first or second authors in research papers. A circular should be issued, instructing research scholars not to prepare research papers or engage in related activities for their research supervisors.