Science Editing

Volume 11 August 2024

Correspondence

Did ChatGPT ask or agree to be a (co)author? ChatGPT authorship reflects the wider problem of inappropriate authorship practices: Bor Luen Tang; Sci Ed. 2024;11(2):93-95. Published online July 4, 2024; DOI: https://doi.org/10.6087/kcse.337

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PDF Supplementary Material

Review

Research ethics and issues regarding the use of ChatGPT-like artificial intelligence platforms by authors and reviewers: a narrative review: Sang-Jun Kim; Sci Ed. 2024;11(2):96-106. Published online August 20, 2024; DOI: https://doi.org/10.6087/kcse.343

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Abstract PDF: While generative artificial intelligence (AI) technology has become increasingly competitive since OpenAI introduced ChatGPT, its widespread use poses significant ethical challenges in research. Excessive reliance on tools like ChatGPT may intensify ethical concerns in scholarly articles. Therefore, this article aims to provide a comprehensive narrative review of the ethical issues associated with using AI in academic writing and to inform researchers of current trends. Our methodology involved a detailed examination of literature on ChatGPT and related research trends. We conducted searches in major databases to identify additional relevant articles and cited literature, from which we collected and analyzed papers. We identified major issues from the literature, categorized into problems faced by authors using nonacademic AI platforms in writing and challenges related to the detection and acceptance of AI-generated content by reviewers and editors. We explored eight specific ethical problems highlighted by authors and reviewers and conducted a thorough review of five key topics in research ethics. Given that nonacademic AI platforms like ChatGPT often do not disclose their training data sources, there is a substantial risk of unattributed content and plagiarism. Therefore, researchers must verify the accuracy and authenticity of AI-generated content before incorporating it into their article, ensuring adherence to principles of research integrity and ethics, including avoidance of fabrication, falsification, and plagiarism.

Original Articles

Explosive increase and decrease in articles, citations, impact factor, and immediacy index during the COVID-19 pandemic: a bibliometric study: Sang-Jun Kim; Sci Ed. 2024;11(2):107-113. Published online June 26, 2024; DOI: https://doi.org/10.6087/kcse.334

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Abstract PDF: Purpose
This study investigated how Journal Citation Reports (JCR) metrics changed during the COVID-19 pandemic (2020–2022), with the aim of sharing this information with stakeholders in the publishing community.
Methods
In total, 7,689 journals listed in the JCR-Science Citation Index Expanded (SCIE) from 2016 to 2022 were selected. Data were analyzed using pivot tables in Microsoft Excel. We calculated the compound annual growth rate to investigate changes in JCR-SCIE articles, citations, the journal impact factor, and the immediacy index during the COVID-19 period.
Results
A marked increase was noted in the number of articles and citations during the COVID-19 pandemic from 2020 to 2022. This surge was primarily driven by a significant rise in COVID-19–related articles. Consequently, four JCR metrics exhibited a sharp increase in 2020, followed by an unusually steep decline in 2022. Articles, citations, and the journal impact factor reached their highest recorded levels in 2021, while the immediacy index saw its most significant growth and intense citation activity in 2020 before experiencing notable decreases in 2021 and 2022. Our findings indicate that there was an unprecedented and dramatic shift in these four JCR metrics during the COVID-19 period, with current trends suggesting a reversion to historical compound annual growth rate levels.
Conclusion
The journal publishing and scientific communities should consider these explosive changes when applying JCR metrics to evaluate articles and endeavor to mitigate the adverse effects of the unusual concentration of articles and citations during the COVID-19 period. These results constitute valuable information to be shared among researchers and stakeholders within the journal publishing community.

Different scope of two applied biological chemistry journals as revealed by network analysis: a bibliometric study: Samyoung YU, Jihye Ahn, Moonsung Choi; Sci Ed. 2024;11(2):114-123. Published online June 26, 2024; DOI: https://doi.org/10.6087/kcse.335

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Abstract PDF: Purpose
The landscape of academic publishing is experiencing significant transformations, characterized by an increasing volume of research output and the growth of interdisciplinary studies. These developments pose complex challenges for editorial boards, necessitating advanced strategies for submission management and the maintenance of publication standards.
Methods
Utilizing network analysis, this study examined 1,865 articles from Applied Biological Chemistry and 1,081 articles from Journal of Applied Biological Chemistry, revealing distinct thematic and methodological orientations within these journals.
Results
Applied Biological Chemistry demonstrated a pronounced focus on extraction processes, while Journal of Applied Biological Chemistry focused more on fermentation techniques and enzymatic studies. This differentiation highlights the journals’ unique contributions to the field of applied life sciences and underscores the diversity within academic publishing.
Conclusion
The findings of this study not only shed light on the subtle distinctions between Applied Biological Chemistry and Journal of Applied Biological Chemistry but also emphasize the critical role of articulating the journal scope in detail in helping authors find the most suitable publication venues for their interdisciplinary research. By showcasing the utility of bibliometrics and network analysis, this research provides valuable insights for editorial boards to refine their management processes and for authors to navigate the complex landscape of academic publishing effectively, thereby enhancing the dissemination and impact of scholarly work.

How Spanish educational researchers used Twitter/X as a platform to promote the dissemination of scientific knowledge: a descriptive study: Elias Said-Hung, Sergio Arce-García, Daria Mottareale-Calvanese; Sci Ed. 2024;11(2):123-133. Published online June 26, 2024; DOI: https://doi.org/10.6087/kcse.336

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Abstract PDF Supplementary Material: Purpose
This study aimed to examine how educational researchers in Spain promoted the dissemination of scientific knowledge on Twitter/X as a platform and to contrast their approach with science influencers in the same country.
Methods
Accounts on the Twitter/X service belonging to 210 Spanish researchers were analyzed, and their 2016–2020 tweets were compared to those of 38 Twitter/X influencers. Text mining techniques, sentiment and emotion analysis, network analysis, and the Kardashian index (K-index) were used in the study.
Results
The results indicated a low academic presence of researchers (4.4%) on Twitter/X. The researchers shared 185,020 posts (38.7% original content and 61.3% retweets). A network analysis revealed low interconnectivity among researchers, with distinct clusters based on their interests or affiliations. The top influencers had strong connections with the news media. The researchers focused minimally on academic topics, while the influencers emphasized the dissemination of scientific findings. The impact of the researchers’ posts was minimal, with low K-index values, whereas the influencers had greater reach because of their follower base.
Conclusion
When using Twitter/X, the researchers had a minimal impact on the dissemination of scientific information because they published few original posts and relied instead on retweets unrelated to their academic or research activities. Consequently, the researchers did not use Twitter/X as a tool for scientific communication, which limited the potential for forming new connections beyond their existing social and academic networks. Promoting informal learning that encompasses diverse knowledge and learning levels is crucial to fostering greater engagement and collaboration.

Trends in scientific production in telecommunications (1981–2023): a bibliometric study: María del Pilar Castro Arellano, Guillermo Alexander Quezada Castro, María del Pilar Quezada Castro; Sci Ed. 2024;11(2):134-141. Published online August 20, 2024; DOI: https://doi.org/10.6087/kcse.342

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Abstract PDF: Purpose
Telecommunications have evolved in response to technological advancements and regulatory changes established in law. There remains a research gap concerning universal access to communication rights, which can be addressed through a bibliometric analysis of the scientific literature. This study aimed to identify trends in telecommunications research. Accordingly, it analyzed annual scientific output, determined the most representative journals, examined prevalent keywords, highlighted the most productive authors, and identified key articles in the field.
Methods
Scientific production was analyzed using the Scopus database. Documents published between 1981 and 2023 in English were included, while those not relevant to the study topic were excluded. A total of 237 documents were analyzed using the Biblioshiny interface and Microsoft Excel.
Results
Annual scientific output peaked in 2021, with an annual growth of 2.91%. The most representative journal was Telecommunications Policy. The consolidated keywords were “communication rights,” “public service media,” “media policy,” “regulation,” and “telecommunications.” The most productive authors were Amy Sanders and Pradip Thomas. The most cited article addressed the institutional foundations of telecommunications regulation.
Conclusion
There was evidence of growing scientific production in telecommunications, published in high-impact journals with an interdisciplinary approach. The main topics related to telecommunications were communication rights, regulation, and internet governance. Despite the presence of prolific authors, a need for greater collaboration in the formation of international research networks was identified.

Publications on COVID-19 and artificial intelligence: trends and lessons: Yeong Jae Kim, Yang Liu, Youngeun Kim, Ho Won Jang; Sci Ed. 2024;11(2):142-148. Published online August 20, 2024; DOI: https://doi.org/10.6087/kcse.338

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Abstract PDF: Purpose
This study investigates shifts in scientific research focus, particularly the decline in COVID-19-related research and the rapid growth of artificial intelligence (AI) publications.
Methods
We analyzed publication data from the Web of Science, comparing yearly publication counts for COVID-19 and AI research. The study also tracked changes in the impact factors of leading journals like Science and Nature, alongside those of top AI journals over the past decade. Additionally, we reviewed the top 10 most cited articles in 2021 from Science and Nature and the most influential AI publications from the past five years according to Google Scholar. The impact trends of the top 100 AI journals in computer science were also explored.
Results
The analysis reveals a noticeable decline in COVID-19 related publications as the pandemic urgency diminishes, contrasted with the continued rapid growth of AI research. Impact factors for prestigious journals have shifted, with AI journals increasingly dominating the academic landscape. The review of top-cited articles further emphasizes these trends.
Conclusion
Our findings indicate a significant shift in research priorities, with AI emerging as a dominant field poised to address future challenges, reflecting the evolving focus of the scientific community.

Case Study

Mentorship program to elevate journal quality and rankings in Indonesia: a case study: Ferry Efendi, Hery Purnobasuki, Dessy Harisanty, Diyah Alinia Oktariningtias, Sarah Khairunnisa; Sci Ed. 2024;11(2):149-154. Published online August 20, 2024; DOI: https://doi.org/10.6087/kcse.344

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Abstract PDF: This article explores the best practices of mentorship programs in all journals at Universitas Airlangga. The university has established a journal mentoring team, as mandated by the rector’s regulation, which is responsible for guiding journals through preparation, submission, management, policy, and overall quality improvement. A case study was conducted to explore the mentoring mechanisms at Universitas Airlangga. Mentors were selected from among experienced editors at the university, each with a distinguished background in managing their own journals. The mentorship program successfully led to the indexing of 14 journals in Scopus, one in Web of Science (WoS), 85 in the Science and Technology Index (SINTA), and 60 in Directory of Open Access Journals (DOAJ). The strategies used can be shared with other universities to assist their journal editors. The mentorship program at Universitas Airlangga has significantly improved the quality and international visibility of its academic journals. This is evidenced by the successful indexing of numerous journals in prestigious databases including Scopus, WoS, SINTA, and DOAJ. The structured mentoring, clear targets, and comprehensive institutional support were instrumental in achieving these results. This model serves as a scalable best practice for other universities seeking to improve their journal quality and global standing.

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