PERNICIOUS IMPACTS OF IMPACT FACTORS IN PAKISTAN

Pak Math Soc, Newsl, 2(6), 2007.

The use of impact factors and citations count has mixed effects. In certain areas of science its effects are very welcome. Many scientists in Pakistan have received huge amounts as rewards for their research papers. Several scientists have received Civil Awards and have been elected as Fellows of the Academy of Sciences.

However, the effects on mathematics have been discriminatory effects.  Foreseeing the pernicious effects on mathematics, Professor Mushtaq began his struggle against the misuse of impact factors. He wrote several articles in newspapers, wrote letters to Professor Atta ur Rahman (the founder of use of impact factors in Pakistan), and other high officials. In 2001, he won a favourable decision from the Federal Ombudsman.  Pakistan Mathematical Society is playing its role in trying to convince Professor Atta ur Rahman to stop the use of impact factors and citations count in mathematics.

While expenditure on science and technology has increased, it is understandable that we make sure at the same time that the money spent is well utilized and the objective is achieved. We therefore have to evolve an adequate system of assessment. One way to assess the quality of our highly educated work force is to monitor their research. We have suggested a number of modifications in the existing system of assessment, namely, the use of impact factors and citations count. Many a time it has been illustrated that the use of impact factors and citations count is misleading and defective.

The effects of the misuse of the impact factors and citations count are already visible now. Fake multiplicity in authorship of research papers has increased. Even a research paper taken out of a dissertation or thesis has co-authors other than the supervisor and the author of the dissertation or thesis, which implies that the supervisor has pleased his “friends” by letting them share the work of his student. Or it could also mean that the supervisor has sought the help of his “friends” in producing an M.Phil. or a Ph.D. student.  Another problem evident from the research publications themselves is that applied mathematics have started publishing in journals of physics and engineering because these journals have higher impact factors and faster speed of publication. They are unable to produce qualitative research work, which can be acceptable in internationally well-reputed journals of mathematics. They have found an easy and profitable way out. As a consequence their work is not getting any place in mainstream of mathematics.

Fast production per year of research papers in highly un-natural. Authors who cannot write one correct sentence in English are producing 2 to 3 research papers per month. The papers contain re-churned and rehashed work. In some cases the increase in paper production is a result of self-mimicking.

Introduction of a condition that at least one research paper published or accepted in a journal with a non-zero impact factor to qualify for a Ph.D. degree from a Pakistan university will adversely affect those who are interested in publishing a paper in a mainstream mathematical journal. The desire to publish one’s research work in a good mathematical journal will be overpowered by the ground reality to publish in a non-mathematical journal for speedy publication with a high non-zero impact factor.

Young mathematicians who are producing good research papers and are trying to publish in mathematical journals have been deprived of the showers of financial benefits pouring down from the HEC on applied mathematicians. For instance since 1999, only three mathematicians have been elected as fellows of the Pakistan Academy of Science. Another interesting observation is that since 1999 of the four persons who have received civil awards, three of them are the same who were elected fellows of the Academy of Sciences.

Recently, there was a letter from COMSTECH, Islamabad, asking Pakistani mathematicians with cumulative impact factor more than 40 to submit their curriculum vitae for inclusion in the directory of scientists in the OIC countries. One can of course guess who these mathematicians would be – they all are applied mathematicians and same ranjahs. 

The situation vis-à-vis mathematics will further deteriorate. Many important branches of mathematics will further vanish. Real mathematics with applications is already neglected and it will lose its credibility further in the future. So-called applied mathematicians are pretending that their work is applicable which in fact, an expert can easily see, is not the case.