Publish or Perish: Is this Really a Viable Set of Options?

Abstract

This paper examines publishing patterns amongst Australian accounting academics over the period 1999-2003. The number of potential publications is estimated by reference to the existing academic staff, their status and qualifications. An estimate of 400 potential publications per year was calculated. This was compared with the actual output of the best-known Australian based accounting journals over the period 1999-2003, calculated at about 60 articles per year. Clearly, a sudden increase in output to the level that ought to be taking place would place a strain on the system. One possible method of recognising publishable research output, regardless of space available for the work to be published, would be for an independent 'panel of referees' to award the status of 'worthy of publication in a learned journal' to research output in order to assist the academic staff in gaining appropriate recognition and reward, avoiding the simple dichotomy that currently faces many academics to publish or to perish, making an on-line publication after review by a national body of referees an alternative journal publication.Publication, academic careers, journals, refereeing,

Publishing characteristics, geographic dispersion and research traditions of recent international accounting education research

“…Seven reviews by a group of US academics have been published in Journal of Accounting Education (JAcEd), in 1991, 2001, 2003, 2007. With the exception of small changes to their scope, these reviews are very similar in design and ambition.…”

Accounting education literature review (2006–2009)

“…The panel could deem research worthy of publication in learned journals, and then the author(s) could submit the paper to an academic journal. Several articles comment on Mathews (2007a). Bline (2007) discusses Mathews' article and points out several flaws in Mathews' arguments.…”

“…Descriptive information is provided about the editorial review process. Mathews (2007a) examines the publishing pattern of Australian researchers (academic staff) during 1999-2003. Mathews provides descriptive data about publication rates in six top Australian journals and about staffing at Australian universities.…”

Factors challenging and supporting scholarly activity for academic staff in a regional Australian university environment

“…Matthews (2007) identifies that there is an increasing volume of work being submitted to journals thus creating a highly competitive environment in which to achieve publication. Additionally, recent ERA (Excellence in Research for Australia) stratifications of journal impact has meant academic staff are encouraged to only publish at the higher quality end of journals, further squeezing inexperienced researchers' capacity to compete in gaining publication.…”