Publish or perish: Why publishing research papers is important?

Richard Feynman once said: "Don't just teach your students to read. Teach them to question what they read, what they study. Teach them to doubt. Teach them to think. Teach them to make mistakes and learn from them. Teach them how to understand something. Teach them how to teach others."

This, in essence, is what a university education is ought to be. Universities, within the educational framework of any state, are not only providers of higher education but also bastions of critical thinking, debate, and the objective evaluation of existing ideas, paradigms, and themes. They aspire to generate new knowledge. In the prevailing educational system, universities worldwide operate as the custodian and center of universal knowledge. A university, comprising of various and diverse departments, holds a wealth of collective knowledge, that in an ideal world, should engage in the exchange of ideas and dialogue to learn and develop new knowledge. Faculty members in universities and other degree-awarding institutions are responsible for disseminating this knowledge to the next generation. University professors should not only possess extensive knowledge of their respective subjects but also stay abreast of current and ongoing debates, controversies, and trends in their disciplines.

A good professor can explain and dissect complex, multilayered ideas in simple, easy-to-understand language, enabling students to grasp the intricacies of sophisticated theories and concepts. Put simply, a professor should be an expert in what could be termed an "over the coffee conversation," implying the ability to make a layperson understand their viewpoint. The emphasis here should be not on what, when, or where but on why.

However, for having this kind of command on the subject, one has to make an effort far greater than just preparing lecture notes once. One needs to make a continuously effort to remain current on the subject. This is where the significance of research and participation in the ongoing academic debate and discourse comes in. In other words, good and effective teachers are the ones who are teacher-scholars, they are researchers and actively contribute to the ongoing debates and discussions within their disciplines.

In an academic environment, there are several ways to engage in such debates and conversations. Conferences, workshops and seminars, as well as publishing scholarly and academic books, are most common ways of doing it. These are beneficial in a number of ways however, arguably the most effective and academically serious way of doing this is by publishing research articles/ papers in specialised research journals. Specialised academic journals provide a platform to the academics to map out the latest developments in their respective fields of study and generate discussion that result in major scholarly works.

In more advanced societies, what are now considered major and fundamental concepts and theories often originated in papers published in various research journals. Furthermore, having research published in credible journals helps researchers become more visible and credible, providing them with better career prospects.

Research papers advance our understanding of the world. They are crucial for the development of critical thinking abilities, intellectual growth and the advancement of society, as they validate scientific assertions. Furthermore, unlike conferences that require significant logistical and administrative effort or the lengthy process of publishing academic books, publishing research papers allows university professors and other academics to contribute to ongoing debates in a more contemporaneous manner.

Research on timely and important topics attracts attention, leading to greater institutional visibility and reputation. As a university becomes known for its research in certain fields, it attracts more students, exposure, opportunities for faculty, and research grants. Additionally, this has job-related incentives; for example, in Pakistan, the HEC grants publication points that can be used for promotions within academic ranks.

Why publishing research papers in reputed specialised research journal is important. Consider the following:

Publishing research findings as research papers not only enhances existing knowledge but also opens avenues for generating new knowledge. It facilitates debates on existing concepts by adding new ideas and providing fresh perspectives on established theories and concepts. Researchers expand on earlier work and pave new paths for investigation and comprehension by sharing study findings.

The notion of peer review makes research papers more relevant and significant. Peer reviews are conducted blindly, with experts in the field rigorously evaluating the content without knowing the author's identity. Once cleared, this process provides academic authenticity and validation to the research.

Writing research papers also enhances the critical thinking of the researchers as they delve into expanding or critically evaluating exiting knowledge. Critical thinking, problem-solving skills, and intellectual curiosity are all fostered by the research process. These abilities are necessary for creativity in both academic settings and in real-world applications. In the process, not only new knowledge is generated that compliments the exiting literature, at times, such papers also serve as a basis for further studies by recognising and expanding upon earlier work. Scholars provide background information, identify knowledge gaps, and propose original research topics by referencing earlier work.

There is also an element of academia-policy making linkage. A research paper on a contemporaneous and policy-relevant issue provides information and needed analysis to the policy makers that can then use this information to address real world issues. Several experts have highlighted the significance of a certain research findings published in research journals to impact policy.

Publishing research papers also enhances a researcher's credibility within the community of scholars and provide the researcher the opportunities to network, generate funding for future projects, apply for fellowships and other career enhancement prospects.

However, one of the fundamental requirements for academics to conduct research and proceed with publishing research papers, a tedious and painstaking process along with the teaching load and responsibilities, is to have a culture of research and research-teaching load balance in universities. Though, it is difficult for countries like Pakistan at the moment, but this must be done if we need to imporve our national research profile.

Moreover, academics must realise that in this digital age, where a wealth of knowledge is just a click away, individuals can easily access information on "what, when, and where." Therefore, the focus should be on the "why" aspect, which is what one learns by attending a university.

To reach to an understanding of why, educators must not only have a grip on the foundational knowledge of the subject but should also be equipped with the latest and the emerging trends in their field. Continuous reading and publishing are key to achieving this. As Richard Feynman said, "Until I began to learn to draw, I was never much interested in looking at art."