Perception of nurse academicians on academic publications: A cross-sectional study

Abstract

Background: Academic publication is a cornerstone of advancing nursing science, as it provides evidence-based research that guides clinical practice and education. However, the pressure to publish for career advancement has led to concerns about behaviours such as the ‘urge to publish’ and 'panic publishing'. The perception behind these trends remains unclear. This study aimed to assess the perception of Indian nurse academicians on academic publications.

Methodology: This cross-sectional study surveyed Indian nurse academicians from Institutes of National Importance (INIs) of India who were selected convenient sampling technique. Data was collected through an online self-structured questionnaire. The survey covered socio-demographic details and perceptions for publishing in academic publications. Data analysis was performed using SPSS Version 26.0, with descriptive and inferential statistics. A significance level (p < 0.05) was used for statistical associations.

Results: Of the respondents, 66.8% were female, and 92.3% had published before [median 12 (IQR 7-38) articles], with 21.7% preferring PubMed-indexed journals. More than two-thirds of participants (64.7%) spent an excessive amount of time on the publication process. There were differences by gender as men were more prone to assess publication metrics (p<0.05), ignore other facets of life for publishing (p=0.005), and self-reported publication addiction-like behaviors (18% compared to 4% for women).

Conclusion: Academic publishing is a crucial but stress-inducing aspect of nurse academicians' careers. These findings underscore the need for a balanced approach that values quality over quantity in academic publishing. Institutions should promote ethical research practices, provide support to manage publication pressures and foster a more sustainable academic environment.