Trend of Publication of Indian Biomedical Literature in Questionable Journals: A Journey From 2015 to 2022 and a Way Forward

Abstract

ABSTRACT Background: Research publication is an important aspect of academic life as it aids in career progression. A high volume of publications by Indian authors is found in questionable journals. In 2020, the National Medical Commission (NMC) of India modified the list of accepted bibliographic databases, with one significant change being the exclusion of Index Copernicus. Our research question focused on whether this change had any impact on the publication patterns in questionable journals. Aim: This study aimed to observe the number of publications in the questionable journal before and after the change in the accepted database by the NMC. Methods: We prepared a final list of 12 questionable journals using extensive criteria to classify a journal as questionable. The journal issues from 2015 to 2022 were scrutinized to determine the number of original research articles, reviews, case reports, short communications, editorials, and letters to the editor. Results: There was a gradual increase in the percentage of publications from 2015 to 2018, followed by a plateau that lasted for three years (2018–2020). However, there was a sudden decrease in publication numbers in 2021, reaching its lowest point in 2022 (χ2 [7] = 658.2, P < 0.0001). The majority of the articles were original research articles (94.54%), while only 3.27% of publications consisted of case reports and 1.45% were review articles. It is noteworthy that none of the journals published any editorials or letters to the editor. Conclusion: A change in the accepted bibliographical database by the NMC may be one of the reasons for the decline in publications in questionable journals. It is important for stakeholders to prioritize the promotion of sound research output from medical institutions rather than solely focusing on the number of publications. In this article, we have presented a holistic approach to address this issue.