Publish or die?

"Publish or die" is the motto of many universities and research institutes in the US, according to Professor Ooi Keat Gin. The majority of researchers and academics are contracted on a yearly basis. The most important factor in extending a contract is the quality of the scientist's work, as demonstrated in their research and published papers.If there are no publications, then you are history, and your contract ends here.!" - Professor Ooi Keat Gin said. Many top American universities even require at least three publications in top journals within five years.

Professor Ooi Keat Gin/Photo: Thanh Long

"Publishing is a way for you to express yourself."And that's especially important for a scientist's career. It's a measure of a researcher's professional progress. Do you receive recognition from your colleagues? Do you receive awards, scholarships, or grants for your research? What kind of relationships do you have in the field, and who are your partners? Have you been invited to lecture at other universities? Are you known by international scholars?... All of these are indicators of a scientist's research ability and academic prestige."

Professor Ooi Keat Gin argues that there is a difference between a true scientist and someone who does research. A true scholar does not view research merely as a job to earn money. Research is an ideal, something they do voluntarily, dedicating their whole heart and soul to pursuing scientific issues that interest them. They want to discover new things, to get to the bottom of problems, and to share their own perspectives. This is an intrinsic need, driven by a desire for self-improvement. They do it not for awards, nor because of pressure from superiors, the university, or for a salary increase.

Professor Ooi Keat Gin also shared that, in reality, if scientists have high-quality international publications or research papers, it will not be difficult for them to receive funding for their research activities. Talented scientists are always fairly compensated by universities.

Sharing more in-depth experiences and the necessary skills to publish research in international journals, the scientist emphasized that the most important thing is the novelty of the research, avoiding duplication in approach, perspective, and viewpoint. The presentation needs to be clear, coherent, persuasive, and highlight your unique contribution to the research field.

And another fact that young scientists need to pay attention to is the language issue, specifically English, in international publications.If your English isn't yet at the level required for international publication, you must ensure you have people proofreading and checking your work before you submit it."—Professor Ooi Keat Gin emphasized.

Professor Ooi Keat Gin also advised that a specific strategy is needed for submitting articles to journals, and especially that one should thoroughly understand the journal and its editorial team before publishing.I encourage you to submit your submissions to major, prestigious journals in your specific field..They will get to know you better. And finally, be open to constructive feedback and discussion about your paper so you can improve your research as much as possible.”- the scientist shared.