Latest Articles from European Science Editing Latest 13 Articles from European Science Editing https://ese.arphahub.com/ Thu, 28 Mar 2024 11:32:52 +0200 Pensoft FeedCreator https://ese.arphahub.com/i/logo.jpg Latest Articles from European Science Editing https://ese.arphahub.com/ Using text-matching software in educational science research: Research results from 18 universities in Vietnam https://ese.arphahub.com/article/107484/ European Science Editing 49: e107484

DOI: 10.3897/ese.2023.e107484

Authors: Thuan Van Pham, Hien Le Thi Thu, Thanh Thi Nghiem, Hang Do Thi Thu, Can Nguyen Duc, Huy Nguyen Hoa

Abstract: Background: Plagiarism by researchers and college students in Vietnam has become a major concern for publishers. Many cases of master’s theses of graduate students in Vietnam being cancelled or their diplomas being revoked for plagiarism are recorded, and some scientists also have been warned or criticized for plagiarism or self-plagiarism.Objectives: The purpose of this study was to analyse the use in educational research of 13 popular text-matching software packages at universities in Vietnam.Methods: The study was based on semistructured interviews of 104 researchers from 18 universities in Vietnam with reference to the use of text-matching software by the researchers.Results: The three most commonly used text-matching software packages were Turnitin, DoIT, and iThenticate. Three-fourths of the 18 universities employ text-matching software and although 17 out of 104 researchers were unfamiliar with such software. Universities in Vietnam primarily require plagiarism checks for master’s theses (79 out of 104 responses) and doctoral dissertations (72 out of 104 responses). Out of 104 participants, 32 use them for graduate theses or project reports, and 45 use them for research papers and project reports.Conclusions: Many universities in Vietnam are yet to specify the requirements for use of text-matching software, and most researchers and students use it only when prompted by publishers or institutions. Researchers in educational science typically lack the financial resources and the requisite skills for using text-matching software.

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Original Article Fri, 24 Nov 2023 07:00:00 +0200
Integrating an artificial intelligence chatbot in scientific communication: Dos and don’ts https://ese.arphahub.com/article/112023/ European Science Editing 49: e112023

DOI: 10.3897/ese.2023.e112023

Authors: Piero Pollesello, Zoltán Papp

Abstract:

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Correspondence Mon, 6 Nov 2023 08:00:00 +0200
Impact of war on editors of science journals from Ukraine: Results of a survey https://ese.arphahub.com/article/97925/ European Science Editing 49: e97925

DOI: 10.3897/ese.2023.e97925

Authors: Maryna Zhenchenko, Iryna Izarova, Yulia Baklazhenko

Abstract: Background: The war influences every step of the publishing process from the organ-izational structure of the journal and its business model to the psychological and financial well-being of its staff.Objectives: The main aim of our research was to collect and analyse data on how the war has changed the operation and daily lives of those who work in editorial services and how significantly it has impacted their job and work.Methods: The surveyed population comprised the staff on the scientific journals listed in the Ukrainian electronic register of the state scientific institution, namely the Ukrainian Institute of Scientific and Technical Expertise and Information. The participants were asked to complete a questionnaire designed to collect data on the background and activities of the journal during wartime.Results: Among a total of 160 respondents (a response rate of 13.2%), 85 (53.1%) expe-rienced changes in editorial structure and work, particularly evident in fewer articles (mentioned by 71, or 44.4%, respondents), a switch to working remotely owing to relo-cation of staff (38, or 23.8%, respondents), changes in the frequency of publication (34, or 21.3%, respondents), changes in the topics covered in the articles (25, or 15.6%, respondents), and staff cuts (16, or 10%, respondents).Conclusions: Ukrainian editors continued their work despite severe psychological difficulties and financial dependency. The editors expect greater support from the international community and suggestions on practical strategies to deal with the challenges without significant losses. Continuing surveys to identify problems arising from the changing conditions were also recommended.

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Original Article Tue, 16 May 2023 08:00:00 +0300
Needs of early-career professionals in STM: Findings from two surveys https://ese.arphahub.com/article/79315/ European Science Editing 48: e79315

DOI: 10.3897/ese.2022.e79315

Authors: Erin Foley, Rachel Moriarty, Kerys Martin

Abstract: Background: The Early Career Publishers Committee (ECPC) of the STM Association (the International Association of Scientific, Technical, and Medical Publishers)’s Early Career Publishers Committee (ECPC) aims to engage, and provide tools and resources for, early-career publishers (ECPs) and professionals. The committee believes it is important to survey the community regularly to understand the background, needs, and concerns of its members to better achieve the committee’s goals.Objectives: Early-career professionals were surveyed in 2014 and 2020: the first survey was undertaken to get a baseline understanding of the community and to guide the newly formed ECPC whereas the second not only sought to review some aspects of the first survey but also to identify and explore ways to improve engagement and support through new or revised survey questions.Methods: The two surveys were conducted online through the ECPC mailing list and social networks. The surveys were voluntary, with the option to skip some questions, and responses – some in the form of a rating scale – were collected anonymously. Each survey remained open for over a month to maximize responses, but neither was pretested. Some questions in the first survey were revised in the second in the light of learnings from the first survey.Results: Most of respondents were women, 25–54 years old, from the UK or the US, with higher degrees, and working in editorial roles. In the second survey, many respondents were interested in developing their career either in their current role or in a different one, and nearly half were actively seeking a new role. Over half said that finding the right role was a challenge. Many had never participated in a publishing-related mentoring scheme, and most had not heard of the STM mentoring scheme before.Conclusions: More tools, resources, and outreach for entry-level and younger industry members, for those from countries outside the UK and US, and for those seeking to develop their careers may be useful in the future. The mentoring scheme could be publicized more prominently to drive engagement. A new survey will be needed in the next 2–3 years, given the potential impact of the COVID-19 global pandemic on the number of respondents in the second (2020) survey and their motivation.

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Original Article Thu, 26 May 2022 09:00:00 +0300
European Association of Science Editors statement in support of Ukraine https://ese.arphahub.com/article/84992/ European Science Editing 48: e84992

DOI: 10.3897/ese.2022.e84992

Authors: Duncan Nicholas

Abstract: The European Association of Science Editors statement on the invasion of Ukraine includes details of support for the Association's Ukrainian members and all peoples of Ukraine, condemnation of the Russian invasion, and advocacy for research and scholarly publishing industry initiatives to support continued academic activity.

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Editorial Thu, 14 Apr 2022 10:00:00 +0300
Barriers to writing research papers and getting them published, as perceived by Turkish physicians – a cross sectional study https://ese.arphahub.com/article/69596/ European Science Editing 47: e69596

DOI: 10.3897/ese.2021.e69596

Authors: Rabia Gönül Sezer Yamanel, Pınar Kumru, Semra Kayataş Eser, Ayşenur Celayir

Abstract: Background: Many physicians in Turkey are both clinicians and researchers, and publishing their research contributes to better patient care as well as to career advancement.Objective: To identify the barriers faced by Turkish physicians to writing research papers and getting them published.Methods: Respondents were asked, through eight multiple-choice questions, about the difficulties they faced in writing research papers and in getting them published in journals. We also searched published literature for accounts of similar difficulties and answers to the question ‘What is your purpose in writing scientific publications?’Results: A total of 18% (155 of 871) of physicians completed the questionnaire. About the difficulties faced in writing, 82 out of the 155 participants, or 57%, reported problems in finding financial support; 58 (40%), in obtaining required permissions and clearances; 65 (45%), in acquiring relevant skills, especially those related to data analysis or statistics; and 42 (29%), in language-related skills. About the difficulties in getting their papers published in journals, 85 (60%) said that they tried to overcome the difficulties by searching for appropriate solutions on the internet; 66 (47%) sought help from experienced colleagues; and 47 (33%) needed professional help in English translation and editing. Need for financial support was reported by a significantly (p = 0.04) larger proportion of associate professors or full professors (69%) than that of residents (47%) and fellows (45%).Conclusion: The main problems that Turkish physicians face in preparing scientific manuscripts were lack of financial support, inadequate knowledge of data analysis and statistics, and the paperwork involved in obtaining required approvals and permissions—problems that were common to the departments of internal medicine and of surgery. The primary motivation for writing and publishing was career advancement, especially through promotion to a higher academic rank.

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Original Article Fri, 10 Dec 2021 10:00:00 +0200
Environmental sustainability and scientific publishing: EASE manifesto https://ese.arphahub.com/article/75625/ European Science Editing 47: e75625

DOI: 10.3897/ese.2021.e75625

Authors: Stephan Mertens, Alastair Brown

Abstract: Human impacts on the Earth have become so pervasive as to drive global scale changes leading some scientists to propose a new geological epoch, the Anthropocene. A name which reflects the huge and sweeping changes human activities have caused to the Earth. Furthermore, these rapidly expanding and accelerating activities threaten to push aspects of the Earth system beyond the relatively stable and safe space in which the entirety of human history occurred, the Holocene. This safe operating space is characterised by a set of nine planetary boundaries1 within which humanity should be able to continue to develop and thrive for generations to come. These include: climate change, biosphere integrity, biogeochemical flows and freshwater use. Crossing these boundaries risks generating large-scale, rapid or irreversible environmental changes.Reducing the environmental impact of our activities in order to keep within a safe operating space for humanity and the linked goal of providing a basic social foundation for everyone requires global actions. Every individual, company, institution and organisation, whether large or small, public or private, needs to contribute – ‘think global, act local’. Scientific publishing as a key player in discussing and disseminating research on climate heating and the biodiversity crisis has transformed from print to digital journals and e-books over recent decades but we must do more.The European Association of Science Editors (EASE) is an international community of individuals and associations engaged in science communication and editing. As such, EASE can help and support its members to engage in different ways to achieve and communicate efforts to reduce our environmental footprints for example by becoming carbon neutral (or even carbon negative) irrespective of the type of organisation they work in.Below are some suggestions for how editors can take steps to reduce their environmental footprint in their own particular circumstances and thereby contribute to the overall effort to reduce environmental damages. Not all suggestions will be relevant to everyone and structural or organisational change will have a greater impact than individual actions, but together we can make a difference.

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Viewpoint Tue, 19 Oct 2021 11:00:00 +0300
Climate change and health: the role of journals and editors https://ese.arphahub.com/article/75635/ European Science Editing 47: e75635

DOI: 10.3897/ese.2021.e75635

Authors: Joan Marsh, Ksenija Bazdaric

Abstract:

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Editorial Tue, 19 Oct 2021 11:00:00 +0300
Obstacles to health care research projects at the University of Jordan: a cross-sectional survey https://ese.arphahub.com/article/61658/ European Science Editing 47: e61658

DOI: 10.3897/ese.2021.e61658

Authors: Randa Farah, Saif Aldeen AlRyalat, Wala'a Aburumman, Dana Sakaji, Muna Alhusban, Reem Hamasha, Majd Alkhrissat, Mohammad Qablawi, Ayat Alni’mat

Abstract: Objective: To assess the obstacles faced by biomedical researchers in Jordan and the reasons behind the stagnation of health care research.Background: Health care research is essential for the advancement of medical care but faces obstacles that delay the completion of research projects, and the literature is still deficient, especially in developing countries.Methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted of all academic staff of health care faculties at the University of Jordan who had been employed for five years or more and had at least one stagnant research project. Questionnaires were completed by the academic staff online using Google Forms after a face-to-face interview to explain the study process to them.Results: A total of 82 researchers with a mean age of 42.68 (±9.16) years were included most of whom (84.1%) had only one stagnant project. Of the 106 stagnant projects, 28.3% were in the basic sciences and 71.7% were in clinical research. Almost a third (29.5%) of the projects remained stagnant after reaching the publication stage. Most researchers (81.3%) identified lack of time and high workload as the most common personal barriers and 44.4% identified lack of funds and research incentives as the most common institutional barriers.Conclusions: Medical research is affected by different barriers including lack of time, high workload, lack of funds, and insufficient incentives for research. An institutional strategic plan is required to overcome those barriers and to improve medical research.

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Original Article Fri, 30 Apr 2021 10:00:00 +0300
Online course in conjunction with face-to-face workshops to improve writing skills leading towards more publications in peer reviewed journals https://ese.arphahub.com/article/54417/ European Science Editing 47: e54417

DOI: 10.3897/ese.2021.e54417

Authors: Amon P Shoko, Ismael A Kimirei, Baraka C Sekadende, Mary A Kishe, Innocent E Sailale

Abstract: Background: Researchers in the developing countries often have inadequate scientific writing skills to publish their research in international peer reviewed journals.Objectives: To improve the research-and proposal-writing skills of researchers and to evaluate the impact of this intervention.Methods: An off-the-shelf online course (AuthorAID, developed by INASP) was embedded in the Tanzania Fisheries Research Institute’s (TAFIRI) website and offered to the institute researchers in Tanzania. The 8-week course was followed by a 2-day face- to-face workshop that used the course material contextualized to local conditions, and the combination was repeated one more time.Results: A total of 47 participants completed the course and attended the workshop: 21 (54%) completed the course in 2016 and 26 (67%) in 2017. The number of papers published annually by TAFIRI staff more than tripled between 2016 and 2019 after the AuthorAID intervention, most of them (114, or 91%) by researchers who had undergone the training.Conclusion: Embedding and contextualizing proven learning materials, such as the AuthorAID online course, can be an economical and effective approach to improving the writing skills of scientists in developing countries.

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Original Article Mon, 1 Feb 2021 15:00:00 +0200
Rethinking editorial management and productivity in the COVID-19 pandemic https://ese.arphahub.com/article/56541/ European Science Editing 46: e56541

DOI: 10.3897/ese.2020.e56541

Authors: Quan-Hoang Vuong, Manh-Toan Ho

Abstract: The indirect costs of the COVID-19 pandemic, specifically extended work absenteeism and possible loss of productivity, are discussed focusing on the research community and its publishing. We suggest that the community should learn strategic and innovative decision-making as well as crisis management from business management to think ahead, especially about working effectively and being productive in times of crisis. The main challenges are:1) communicating scientific and credible information about the pandemic,2) focusing on being productive to provide some certainty, and3) adopting a new mindset and being open to unexpected opportunities.

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Viewpoint Tue, 15 Dec 2020 10:00:00 +0200
Response to Jaime A Teixeira da Silva's article, "Suggestions for fortifying the discoverability of papers published in European Science Editing" https://ese.arphahub.com/article/57899/ European Science Editing 46: e57899

DOI: 10.3897/ese.2020.e57899

Authors: Tom Lang

Abstract:

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Correspondence Wed, 11 Nov 2020 11:00:00 +0200
Russia and post-Soviet countries compared: coverage of papers by Scopus and Web of Science, languages, and productivity of researchers https://ese.arphahub.com/article/53192/ European Science Editing 46: e53192

DOI: 10.3897/ese.2020.e53192

Authors: Natalia Alimova, Yuri Brumshteyn

Abstract: Objective: To analyse the productivity of post-Soviet countries, adjusted by population, in terms of research papers published and the proportions of those papers indexed by Scopus and the Web of Science.Methods: Relevant data on the journals indexed in Scopus and the Web of Science were analysed. Where required, data were also extracted from Russian Science Citation Index databases and websites of journals.Results: On average, the post-Soviet countries had 31 researchers per 10,000 people. The average numbers of publications per researcher in journals indexed by Scopus was 1.04 and the corresponding figure for the Web of Science was 0.87. In terms of the number of journals indexed in Scopus and the Web of Science, the leading countries were Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania.Conclusion: Although the post-Soviet countries differed considerably in terms of bibliometric indices, the overall values were low. Main features of the journals were as follows: articles published in national languages – in Russian in many cases – and in English, articles mostly by authors within the region, and only a minority of foreigners as members of editorial boards. Thus most of the journals cannot be considered international. All the journals examined have websites in a national language and/or in English and invariably carry information on ethical practices, although such information is not given in a uniform format and varies from country to country.

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Original Article Wed, 29 Apr 2020 17:20:00 +0300