A recent survey conducted in China has unveiled a significant gap in researchers’ understanding of ethical standards related to academic publishing, especially in the context of engaging third-party manuscript services. This pioneering investigation, elaborated in a study published in the Journal of Data and Information Science, underscores the pressing demand for comprehensive, contextually relevant training in research ethics tailored for the diverse scholarly community. The study reflects a critical moment in academic integrity discourse, as it captures not just overt misconduct, but also widespread ambiguities that potentially pave the way for unethical behaviors in the scientific publication ecosystem.
The survey, a collaboration between the international academic publisher Taylor & Francis and the National Science Library at the Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS), sampled nearly 1,800 participants, including students, researchers, and librarians across China. The findings reveal a high degree of uncertainty about the ethical responsibilities tied to research and publication processes. Disturbingly, over one-third of respondents expressed confusion about fundamental concepts of authorship responsibilities, with graduate students reporting the greatest levels of misunderstanding. This lack of clarity jeopardizes the integrity of scholarly work and highlights the need for clear, enforceable standards within academic institutions.
A particularly concerning phenomenon the study illuminated is the prevalence of ‘gift authorship’ practices, where individuals are inappropriately added as authors or agree to be listed despite not fulfilling established authorship criteria. This practice dilutes the accountability and credit associated with scientific contributions, leading to ethical breaches that can undermine trust in academic publishing platforms. The findings suggest that understanding and adhering to appropriate authorship norms remain a significant challenge within the scientific community in China.
Furthermore, the survey investigated researchers’ engagement with third-party manuscript services, a sector that has grown in tandem with the globalization of scholarly communication. While roughly 31% of respondents admitted to using such external services to assist in the publication process, there was widespread lack of ability to discern ethical from unethical service offerings. While most participants correctly identified legitimate aids such as language editing, translation, and formatting as acceptable forms of support, a troubling number regarded practices commonly associated with paper mills—such as ghostwriting entire sections of manuscripts, adding unauthorized authors, or inserting citations at the behest of the service providers—as ethically permissible. This misperception indicates a deeply rooted vulnerability within the research ecosystem that unethical commercial entities can exploit.
These insights collectively point toward the urgent call from the study’s authors for timely, accessible, and fit-for-purpose training programs in research integrity and publishing ethics. Such training should not only be mandatory but also thoughtfully designed to collectively address various career stages, from undergraduates to seasoned researchers, as well as institutional stakeholders responsible for maintaining scholarly standards. The research reveals that only slightly over half of those surveyed currently have access to any form of ethics training, and fewer still have undergone formal, structured instruction. This gap in education represents a critical barrier to fostering a culture of integrity in research.
Moreover, the quality of existing training opportunities is called into question by the study’s outcomes. Even among researchers who have received formal ethics education, many remain uncertain when required to identify questionable authorship or ethical lapses related to third-party services. This finding exposes the insufficiency of current educational methods and calls for innovative strategies that enhance critical thinking and practical understanding of research ethics. Developing more robust and adaptive training frameworks could contribute significantly to mitigating unethical practices.
The establishment of the Joint Lab on Research Integrity, a collaborative initiative launched in December 2023 by Taylor & Francis and the National Science Library at CAS, embodies a progressive approach to combating research misconduct. This lab combines the expertise of a global academic publisher with the contextual insights of a leading research institution, aiming to generate data-driven strategies for addressing research integrity challenges specific to the Chinese academic landscape while contributing to global efforts. Their work represents a model for how cross-sector partnerships can leverage complementary strengths to promote ethical scholarship.
Dr. Sabina Alam, Director of Publishing Ethics & Integrity at Taylor & Francis, highlighted the global implications of the survey’s findings. She emphasized that the knowledge gaps identified not only expose Chinese researchers to potentially exploitative entities such as paper mills but are also likely reflective of broader, international trends. Without strengthened ethics education, researchers worldwide remain susceptible to inadvertent misconduct, thus threatening the credibility and reliability of scientific knowledge. Her remarks underscore the necessity for publishers and academic institutions globally to prioritize and collaborate on integrity training initiatives.
The sense of urgency is palpable among the research community, as approximately 80% of survey participants expressed concern regarding the impact that lapses in research integrity might have on the trustworthiness of academic publications. These apprehensions resonate deeply in an era where scientific credibility is paramount and public trust increasingly fragile. Strengthening ethical standards, therefore, is crucial not only to safeguard the scholarly record but also to preserve the societal contract of science as a trustworthy source of knowledge.
According to Dr. Zhesi Shen, Deputy Director of the Department for Scientometrics and Research Evaluation at the National Science Library, CAS, research institutions and libraries carry a vital responsibility in cultivating the next generation of ethically conscious scholars. He argued that through dynamic collaborations with publishers, these entities can develop and deliver systematic, locally tailored training programs while addressing widespread global integrity challenges. Such synergies are crucial in ensuring that ethical training resonates with cultural, institutional, and disciplinary environments, thereby enhancing its efficacy.
The findings from this landmark survey provide a sobering yet invaluable snapshot of contemporary challenges in academic publishing ethics within the Chinese research context. Crucially, these insights illuminate pathways forward, advocating for strategic partnerships and well-designed educational interventions that collectively fortify research integrity. As the global academic community grapples with similar issues, this research serves as both a cautionary tale and a clarion call for concerted action.
Ultimately, the need for robust, accessible, and context-sensitive ethics training stands as a pivotal element in safeguarding the reliability and credibility of scholarly publications. By addressing knowledge gaps and misconceptions head-on, the academic community can better insulate itself from unethical practices, whether arising from internal misunderstandings or external predatory actors. This study, therefore, represents not just a diagnostic tool but a foundational step toward an academic culture firmly anchored in integrity.
Subject of Research: Not applicable
Article Title: Perceptions and recommendations about research integrity and publishing ethics: A survey among Chinese researchers on training, challenges and responsibilities
News Publication Date: 28-May-2025
Web References:
- Study DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.2478/jdis-2025-0031
- Journal article: https://www.j-jdis.com/EN/10.2478/jdis-2025-0031
References:
Alam, S., Babbit, V., Hu, J., Lou, Y., Shen, Z., Wilson, L., & Zhou, Z. (2025). Perceptions and recommendations about research integrity and publishing ethics: A survey among Chinese researchers on training, challenges and responsibilities. Journal of Data and Information Science.
Keywords:
Academic ethics, Academic journals, Authorship, Coauthorship, Honorary authorship, Multiple authorship, Academic publishing, Publishing industry, Research misconduct, Scientific integrity
