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Is Global Scientific Production Unsustainable?
A study reveals a significant increase in scientific publications, raising concerns about the sustainability and quality of research output.
French
France
ScienceFranceSustainabilityResearchPublishingQuality
ElsevierSpringerMdpiWileyHindawi
Paolo Crosetto
- How much has the global scientific output grown in recent years?
- The global scientific output has increased significantly, with nearly 50% growth in publications between 2016 and 2022, reaching 2.8 million articles indexed in major databases.
- What is the role of "special editions" in scientific publishing?
- Concerns exist about the quality of scientific output, due to increased pressure and the rise of "special editions," which account for a significant portion of publications and potentially dilute the review process.
- What is the estimated value of the scientific publishing industry?
- The study highlights the lucrative nature of the scientific publishing industry, estimated at \$26.5 billion in 2020, with major players like Elsevier, Springer, MDPI, and Wiley dominating the market.
- What are the main concerns about the increase in scientific publications?
- The rise in publications is not matched by a similar increase in researchers, leading to increased pressure on peer reviewers, who are often unpaid and may resort to sub-contracting or AI tools.
- What are the potential long-term implications of the current trends in scientific publishing?
- The increasing volume of publications and potential issues with quality raise questions about the sustainability and reliability of the current scientific publishing model. Further research is needed to address these challenges.