Reconsidering the Pursuit of Elsevier-Indexed Journals: The Dangers of Obsession

In the constantly evolving world of academia, publishing remains a crucial aspect of a professor's career. Unfortunately, there has been a growing obsession with publishing in Elsevier-indexed journals, specifically those listed in Scopus. While academic publication is undoubtedly valuable, this fixation has significant implications for academic integrity, diversity, and the purpose of scholarly work.

Elsevier, a publishing powerhouse that manages numerous prestigious academic journals, is at the center of this obsession. Their journals are often considered synonymous with quality, leading professors to compete fiercely for a spot within their pages. The allure of the Scopus index, a metric of academic impact, further fuels this obsession. However, it is time to critically evaluate the consequences of this fixation.

1. Quality Over Quantity: The primary concern with the obsession for Elsevier-indexed journals is the risk of compromising research quality. When scholars are driven solely by the desire to publish in these journals, the focus often shifts from producing groundbreaking research to conforming to the expectations and preferences of these publications. As a result, research may become formulaic, driven by a checklist of criteria deemed desirable by the journal rather than the pursuit of meaningful discoveries.

2. Narrowing of Research Focus: The intense competition to publish in Elsevier journals can lead to a narrowing of research focus. Professors may feel compelled to work on topics that are currently popular or trending in these journals, rather than pursuing their own unique interests or addressing pressing societal issues. This conformity stifles creativity and innovation in academia.

3. Exclusivity and Elitism: The obsession with Elsevier-indexed journals perpetuates exclusivity and elitism within the academic community. It often places valuable research behind paywalls, limiting access to only those with institutional subscriptions or the financial means to purchase individual articles. This exclusivity contradicts the fundamental ethos of academia: the dissemination of knowledge to benefit society as a whole.

4. Impact on Academic Diversity: Focusing exclusively on Elsevier-indexed journals can have detrimental consequences for academic diversity. The rigid criteria and preferences of these journals may inadvertently exclude scholars from underrepresented backgrounds or those pursuing unconventional research avenues. This lack of diversity hampers the richness and inclusivity of academic discourse.

5. Ignoring Open Access Alternatives: The obsession with Elsevier journals ignores the growing movement toward open access publishing, which seeks to make research freely available to the public. Open access journals offer an opportunity to democratize knowledge and increase the reach and impact of research. By fixating on traditional publishing avenues, we risk ignoring the potential of these innovative platforms.

6. The Need for Balance: It is essential to strike a balance between the desire to publish in prestigious journals and the integrity of academic research. While Elsevier journals may offer visibility and recognition, they should not be the sole measure of scholarly success. Researchers should be encouraged to explore diverse publishing avenues that align with the goals and values of their research.

The obsession with publishing in Elsevier-indexed journals, particularly those listed in Scopus, among university professors raises several red flags for the future of academia. While these journals undoubtedly have their merits, the intense fixation on them can compromise research quality, narrow the scope of academic inquiry, and perpetuate exclusivity. To uphold the true spirit of scholarly pursuit, it is high time that we reevaluate our priorities and emphasize the importance of diverse publishing options and the integrity of research itself. The pursuit of knowledge should always trump the pursuit of journal prestige.