Authorship Associated Misconduct-A Rising Problem in Nepalese Medical Academia

Abstract

A medical practitioner or researcher’s contribution is judged not only on the basis of number of patients treated or the years of practice, but also, through publications. It is through your publications, your work is validated and the lifelong techniques is disseminated to your juniors, fellows, residents and even to your colleagues. Publishing also is a source for academic development and enrich yourself to critically review others work too. In addition, your publication provides research gap for future researchers to conduct additional studies. In many countries and even in Nepal, publication is also a basis of promotion in academics. So, research, scientific writing and publishing is a part of medical and dental academia.¹

The happiest moment for any medical practitioners and researchers is getting your work published in prestigious journals around the world. To come to this stage of publication, the scientific work has to undergo series of rigorous process. Conceiving any study, searching the gap, discussing with peers, writing the proposal for ethical clearance are the initial stages. After obtaining the ethical clearance the proposal undergoes several months of data collection, experimentation and analysis. The last part is scientific writing and sending the manuscript for publication. Any research should also maintain academic integrity and research ethics.² Any studies with significant findings, done by maintaining the biomedical ethics, written in an organized way have more chances for acceptance for publication.² However, in the line of publication, the issues of scientific misconduct are also rising.