Transcript Evaluating the Scientific Significance of One’s Findings

Evaluating the Scientific
Significance of One’s
Findings and Strategy for
Selecting the Appropriate
International Journals
Mien A. Rifai
Indonesian Academy of Sciences
c.o. “Herbarium Bogoriense” Puslit Nasional Biologi – LIPI,
Jalan Juanda 22, Bogor
Upon completing their study or research
undertakings, normally scholars, scientists, or
experts have compelling inner urge as well as a
moral obligation to make public their results,
findings, and other achievement.
For this purpose usually they will prepare
suitable scientific publications
More often than not, from the very beginning
such publications usually take the form of
articles effectively published in scientific
periodicals. Compared to books (which by
nature generally contain secondary knowledge
and hence have limited shelve life at libraries),
periodicals have been preferred because
normally they publish only primary data and
information or knowledge obtained through
scientific research with unlimited shelve time at
libraries.
In the words of Henry Oldenburgh, the secretary of the Royal Society
and the editor of the Philosophical Transaction of the Royal Society––
the first scientific journal ever published on 6th March 1665––the
function of the periodicals were:
• “We must be very careful of registering . . . as well as the
person and time of any new matter . . . as well as the matter
itselfe; whereby the honour of ye invention will be inviolably
preserved to all posterity . . ..
• All ingenious men will be thereby encourage to impart their
knowledge and discoveryes . . ..
• I should not neglect the opportunity of having some of my
memoirs preserv’d, by being incorporated into a collection, that
is like to be as lasting as usefull . . ..
• The Philosophical Transaction of the Royal Society should be
licensed under the charter by the Council of the Society, being
first reviewed by some of the members of the same . . ..”
Until today, the function of scientific journal
has not changed much, because modern
researchers continue to want:
• REGISTRATION: to register a discovery as theirs
and made by them on certain date, so that they can
assert ownership and achieve priority
• DISSEMINATION: to let their peers know what they
have done or achieved, so that they receive
recognition and probably collaboration
• ARCHIVE: to have a permanent and widely known
record of their research
• CERTIFICATION: to get their research quality (and
by implication also themselves) stamped by their
peers through the reputation of the journals
Unfortunately––beside to disseminate research
findings and hence contribute to the body of
knowledge and to advance the frontier of science
and technology––in recent years in Indonesia
papers and articles are being published in
scientific journals in order to
• enhance the authors’ prestige (honour,
stature, recognition, promotion)
• promote institutions’ reputation (standing,
ranking, renown)
• personal satisfaction, and also
• improve the competitive ability of the country
Consequently it is not very surprising to note
that a survey published by Scientific American
revealed that in 1994 the contribution of
Indonesian scientists and scholars as well as
experts to the body of world science and
technology annually represents only 0,012%,
which is far below that of Singapore which
contributes 0,179%, and highly insignificant if
compared to that of US scientists and scholars
which amount to over 20%.
Some observers stated that the efforts of
Indonesian scientists and scholars to
participate in advancing science and
technology represented lost science in the third
world. They acknowledged the voluminous
work being done, but unfortunately the results
never reached their peers simply because they
are being published in numerous periodicals
that unfortunately never go beyond the fence of
the publishing agencies.
A closer examinations at the situation
does indeed reveals that in general
Indonesian scientific journals are
• published in limited numbers (many only 300
copies per edition)
• circulated only locally and often privately
• not subscribed by major libraries (not even in
Indonesia!)
• written in Indonesian only
• not being used by university lecturers as
source of teaching material
• haphazardly produced, managed, and edited
It follows that even the titles of scientific articles
written by Indonesian scientists and scholars
do not appear in rapid bibliographic services,
and their key words have not been generally
scanned and picked up by information service
providers so that they are not available to be
accessed through internet. Consequently,
needless to say that very few Indonesian
scientific periodicals are being covered by
abstracting journals, and probably none of
them as yet has been listed in Science Citation
Index.
On the other hand it is imperative that
Indonesian scientists and scholars should
made the results of their scientific activity
available to their fellow scientists all over the
world by publishing them in readily accessible
journal internationally, among other things in
order to improve the competitive ability of
Indonesian products in the world markets which
in turn will improve the welfare of Indonesian
people in general.
The Correlation between Productivity
and Number of Publications and Citations
(1997–2001)
Country
Number
Number of Sitas
of Publication Citations
India
Cina
Jerman
Jepang
USA
77.201
115.339
318.286
336.858
1.265.808
188.481
341.519
2.199.617
1.852.271
10.850.549
GDP per capita
487
989
24.051
31.407
36.006
By comparison elsewhere, in the past decades it has
continued to become customary to publish scientific papers
in reputable scientific journals because their contents are
• evaluated and judged by relevant peer
groups prior to their publication
• widely distributed, accessed, and assessed
• particularly read or perused by fellow
specialists
In order to be accepted by the journal chosen–
–in other words considered worthy to be
published by their peers––it is imperative
therefore that Indonesian researchers should
assess or evaluate objectively the scientific
significance of one’s findings before submitting
the paper being prepared for publication
It follows that before preparing the draft of the paper to be
submitted for international publication, it is not a bad idea
to pore over once again the steps that have been taken
during the execution of the study or research:
• has the map of the-state-of-the-art of the
problems faced being kept up-to-date?
• has the originality of the view or approach
taken in solving the problems been assured?
• is the formulation of the problems unique
enough to make the results of the study or
research interesting and challenging to fellow
researchers?
• is the approach or methodology which has
been used considered adequate?
• has all available means that support the research efforts
been utilized fully so that the whole undertaking is
maximum?
• has the minimum requirement been met to achieve the
precision and the sophistication of the modern
equipment utilized?
• have the suitability of all informants been verified? the
apparatuses periodically standardized? the
appropriateness of research questionnaire sanctioned?
all data and information accumulated validated?
• have all related published research results been
consulted and incorporated in making broad
generalization, conclusion, and new theory advanced?
Positive answers to all these queries will
enhance the quality of the scientific
contribution to be published, because
they ensure that any generalization
made, conclusion drawn, and theory
advanced will not be controversial. If
inadequacy is still felt, is there any
remedial measure that can be taken at
this stage?
It is considered necessary to have positive answers to all these questions,
because in general there are inherent cultural handicaps in the mindset of
Indonesian scientists and scholars which has some bearing in formulating the
planning of research, in approaching the conclusion to be made, and especially
in publishing their research findings:
• very narrow aspiration in all their intellectual
activities which often very localized in scope
and hardly touch national interest let alone
international vision
• shortsightedness due to the limitation
imposed by the title of their research or
project activity (which often is carried over to
become the title of their scientific article)
• reluctance in undertaking in-depth analyses
on the data and information accumulated
during the course of the study
• the absence of all encompassing syntheses based on
the result obtained, largely because of the absence of
large scale comparison by incorporating the results and
experience of fellow researchers, by borrowing from
other culture, by tapping from other discipline, by
utilizing the wisdom of other times, by referring to the
body of literatures provided most recently by other
scientists and scholars
• unwillingness in drawing conclusions which have far
reaching outcome and impact
• lack of courage to launch revolutionary generalization
which may lead to the the formulation a grand theory
The evaluation of the scientific significance of
one’s finding will be made easier by
understanding the ‘position’ of the research
results to be contributed in the following system
of classification of science and technology
achievement (in ascending order of
importance): technology transfer, adaptation,
innovation, invention, discovery
Transference of technology: the result of an
activity which only represent the transfer of
known production technique or knowledge to
other location or situation, in order to widen
their utilization (mainly in industry) or to
improve their understanding, normally with
necessary adjustment but without any
meaningful contribution to the advancement of
science and technology.
Research reports presented in partial fulfillment
of the requirement for Sarjana degree is
expected to be at least of this category.
Adaptation: Result of research or study undertaken by
applying methods or approaches of known
technological usefulness to other problems or objects,
or undertaking similar research or study using different
methods, approach, or angles, resulting in contributions
with wider horizontal perspectives (but not in-depth in
nature) in order to improve knowledge, science and
technology. In rare occasions results of technological
development and engineering activity undertaken in
this way can be patented.
A master thesis should be based at least on results of
an adaptive research or study.
Innovation: Results obtained from well planned
research or study on complex problems, or applying
significantly modified methodology or approach on
unsolved problems or objects, so that the conclusions
achieved will considerably contribute in advancing the
frontier of science and technology. In many cases
innovations developed during the course of the activity
resulted in patents.
It is imperative that doctoral dissertations should
produce innovative results, based on research and
study especially aimed at satisfying the need and
demand of the international audience of scientists and
scholars
Invention: Systematic research activity and or in-depth
study which significantly produce original results
containing novelties which are really new to science
and technology, or successful in creating novel and
highly useful products previously much desired, or
satisfactorily elucidate ambiguous phenomena or
puzzling situations, or in launching important theories.
As a rule, patents are granted to successful research,
development, and engineering activity geared towards
inventions.
The invention of cakar ayam foundation, the
employment of conidiation in fungal taxonomy, plate
tectonic theory, and the development of penicillin
injection, are examples of research and study resulting
in major invention.
Discovery: Research, study, or observations
producing major discovery which elucidate the
nature of things, phenomena, and concepts,
and often with related grand theory of
pioneering nature which significantly change
the body of opinion globally.
Among the important discoveries which are
worthy of Nobel Price should be mentioned
those of penicillin by Ian Fleming, the structure
of DNA by Watson and Crick, the evolution
theory by Charles Darwin, and the grand theory
of relativity by Einstein.
The high demand on the quality of substance
expected from the scientific contribution which
one is going to make, necessitate the
employment of sophisticated approach and
point of view as well as modern and up to date
methodology in order to ensure that the results
will be full of novelties really new to science,
and of pioneering in nature by not repeating
similar research through the permutation of
methods and objects.
The high originality and the meaningful
significance of the research and study findings,
ideas developed, conceptions produced, or
theories launched will enhance the value of the
scientific contribution to be made. Similarly
such high quality contributions will, have an
everlasting impact to trigger further research in
the future to make it be taken into consideration
in the framework of science progress as a
whole.
The assessment and evaluations on the
scientific merit of one’s findings for international
journals can also be easily undertaken by
comparing closely the overall results obtained
with those already achieved and most recently
published by known fellow researchers.
Such comparison will enable one to judge the
strength and weakness, as well as the
significance and merit of the contributions
which is going to be made.
The following instrument can be used to assess
the significance of the findings being made,
bearing in mind that it is better to be always in
doubt:
• although not completely the same, have
similar results been published elsewhere
before?
• if they have, what are the similarity and what
are the differences?
• does the information thought and considered
to be original really represent something
new?
• is the originality in any part of the results of
insignificant value?
• do the results obtained merely fill a small gap in the knowledge
about the subject matter being dealt with?
• in other words, do the results only confirm the existing opinion
in spite of the fact that the evidences are obtained from a
different approach or point of view?
• or, do they improve considerably the existing body of
knowledge?
• how far the conclusion drawn encroach into the region of
science terra incognita?
• will other scientists or scholars appreciate the results revealed?
• who will likely to challenge the conclusions achieved by
undertaking further research and study?
• who will make direct reference to the results, and who will
indirectly derive benefit from its publication?
After becoming satisfied with one’s own assessment
and evaluation, efforts should be made to obtain
objective opinions from fellow researchers within one’s
surroundings. Informal discussions with close
associates from the same laboratory, formal
presentation in a small regular meeting, as well as
candid appraisal from one’s research supervisors or
superior should be arranged and solicited. If
opportunity becomes available to read the draft to a
wider audience do not hesitate to utilize it.
Needless to say that all inputs, criticism, suggestions
received should be utilized fully as appropriate.
It is only after once is firmly believed and
completely convinced that the output of the
research and study results have high degree of
uniqueness to be appreciated in national and
international forum because it is highly original,
and has meaningful outcome as well as wide
impact in advancing the frontier of science and
technology, then all stone should be turned to
secure its publication in a suitable and much
acclaimed international journal.
Therefore if one feels that the results of the self
assessment and evaluation reveal the merit of
the research findings for international
consumption, it is a duty to publish them as
soon as possible. It should be considered a
criminal act not to do so, especially if public
funds have been spent in supporting the
research.
For this purpose an effort should be made to
identify the most suitable journal to publish it, a
periodical with the highest qualification that can be
reached. In making the choise once again it is
necessary to be very certain about the uniqueness
of the content of the article to be contributed,
especially in ascertaining the field of specialization
being addressed to.
One can begin by identifying and classifying the
content of the articles from the narrowest field of
specialization in order to ascertain that it is suitable
to the type of audience to be addressed:
•
•
•
•
the super-super spesialists
the super specialist scientists
the specialists
or just generalist experts
Do not be too dishearten if the identification reaches
the lowest mark, because it is possible that the data
and information revealed by the research or study isof
• interdiscipilnary
• cross sectoral
• or transdisciplinary
in nature. If it is inter- or transdiciplinary, then
decide which sector has the highest potentials
readers.
Bear in mind that modern disciplines such as
ecology, ethnobotany, biotechnology, or
subjects related to gender use transdisiplinary
approaches without diminishing their
superspecialization demanded by modern
science and technology, so that their journals
have a high degree of specialization.
As an active researcher in any particular
field of specialization, one should be fully
aware on the identity of prominent experts in
the field concerned, and know also which
journal(s) are frequented by them, as well as
the niche or ranking of the journal in
advancing the related science and
technology.
Among the many identified
journals, choose the one which:
• receives the highest acclaim (accredited with high
citation index)
• has the strongest impact in advancing the field of
disciplin concerned
• has the widest audience (written in UN languanges)
• has global aspiration in geographical scope
• contains only articles based on research results
(rather than review articles)
• is often refered to
• is rapid in processing articles for publication (short
waiting list)
• is issued with high frequency (monthly or bimonthly
insted of annually published)
It should be noted that not all journals using
English (or other UN languages) are of high
or international standard. They are foreign
periodicals but not necesaarily of high
standing because their interests are often of
a local value (such as Transaction of
Yorkshire Naturalist Union)
To be considered having an international merit,
a journal should
• accomodate articles written in one of the UN
languages.
• contain high quality original articles which contribute
significantly to the advancement of the disciplin
being much sought after by specialists all the world
over
• be managed openly by a team of editors from all
over the world, and the mechanisms of blind review
by the peer group system is used in screening,
selecting, and evaluating articles to be accepted for
inclusioan
• has contributors that come from notable institutes in
many countries having experts specializing in
disciplin covered
• has a global circulation because it is subscribed by
specialized institutes from all over the world.
Specialized journals are
published by
• scientific profesional associations of
international renown (such as the British
Mycological Society, the American Chemical
Society)
• major publishing houses (like Elsevier Group,
Cambridge University Press, Springer
Verlag)
• resarch institutions (such as Boyce Thomson
Institute, Royal Botanic Gardens Kew,
Rijksherbarium at Leyden)
It pays to join and become a member of a scientific
profesional association because it will enable one to
• receive regularly free scientific journal
published by the society
• submit article to be published in the society
journal, often free of charge
• establish networking and cooperative
research venture with fellow members
• keep up with the news about new
development, scientific events and other
related happenings as well as the progress
of the specialized disciplin
Some important websites to brows for finding
suitable major international journals:
• Cambridge Univ. Press (UK):
www.journals.cambridge.org
• International Institute for Asian Studies:
www.iias.nl
• Ingenta Environment (contains some 4500
journals):
• www.ingentaconnect.com
• Elsevier: www.sciencedirect.com
• Springer: www.springer.com
• Wiley Interscience:
www.interscience.wiley.com
• Taylor & Francis: www.taylorandfrancis.com
After a journal has been chosen
• study two or three latest issues or editions
• peruse carefully its instructions to contributing
authors (which may up to 64 pages long)
• find out if the journal also issues further instructions
in its website
• ensure that the instructions and all requirements are
fully understood to their minutest details
• read carefully four or five sample articles (preferably
ones closely related to topics being dealt with) and
compare them closely them with the instructions to
authors
When the style and format of the journal
have been completely understood and
mastered, then one may start preparing
the draft article to be submitted. In doing
so, ensure that every items (title, byline,
abstract, punctuations, list of references
etc.) are executed wholly in line with the
instructions to authors issued by the
journal.
It cannot be overemphasized thar in
preparing the manuscript to be submitted,
it is compulsary to follow the instruction to
the authors very closely if one really
wishes that the article be accepted by the
journal. Small deviations may make the
computer employed by the journal to
scan incoming contributions to reject
automatically the article being sent.
After completing and revising the first
draft, it is not a bad idea ti hand it over––
together with a copy of the instruction to
authors––to one or two close associates
to read and comment on it. Based on
criticisms and suggestions received,
revise the draft accordingly to prepare the
final draft to be sent to the editor of the
journal chosen.
After sending the draft to the
appropriate address, take a rest,
and wait patienly for the answer and
respond from the editor(s) . . . and
pray.
Upon receiving an answer, promtly
respond to it accordingly (normally
within a fortnight by post or within 48
hours by e-mail).
Indonesian editors often
complain on the habit of
Indonesian authors who
generally are very slow or event
reluctant to respond if asked to
revise their draft as suggested by
their peers.
Two small popular handbooks written in
Indonesian are available
Mikrajudin Abdullah. 2004. Menembus
Jurnal Ilmiah Nasional Internasional:
Petunjuk Ringkas dari Penulisan Paper
hingga Koreksi Proof. Jakarta: Gramedia
Pustaka Utama. ix + 112 pp.
Zifirdaus Adnan & Indrawati Zifirdaus
2005. Merebut Hati Audiens
Internasional: Strategi Ampuh Meraih
Publikasi di Jurnal Ilmiah. Jakarta:
Gramedia Pustaka Utama. xv + 136 pp.
TERIMA KASIH