“套路论文”谁之过 | 媒体札记

Core Viewpoint - The case of a student from Wenzhou Medical University publishing 43 papers in a year raises concerns about academic integrity and the potential for "paper mill" practices, despite some arguing that exceptional talent can lead to such prolific output [1][3]. Group 1: Publication Details - The student has published approximately 50 articles since July 2024, with 44 being included in SCI journals and around 30 in top-tier journals as per the Chinese Academy of Sciences [2]. - Twelve of the student's papers prominently feature "Mendelian randomization" in their titles, indicating a reliance on specific methodologies [1]. Group 2: Academic Evaluation System - The incident highlights issues within the current academic evaluation system, which emphasizes quantity over quality, potentially leading students to engage in "publish or perish" mentality [3][4]. - The existing evaluation framework may inadvertently encourage the production of "routine papers," which, while methodologically sound, may lack genuine innovation [2][4]. Group 3: Institutional Responsibility - Wenzhou Medical University has a reward system for students publishing in recognized journals, which could incentivize the production of "routine papers" if not properly monitored [4]. - The university's investment in student innovation and entrepreneurship, while well-intentioned, may contribute to the proliferation of low-quality research if oversight is inadequate [4]. Group 4: Broader Implications - The phenomenon of "routine papers" could waste resources and pose risks in cross-disciplinary applications, potentially harming the academic ecosystem and long-term development of disciplines [4]. - The situation calls for a reevaluation of how academic success is defined and measured, emphasizing the need for a more balanced and fair assessment system [5].