Publication and Dissemination of Research Findings

Abstract

The publishing of academic research is often the long awaited culmination of significant work by the authors. During the submission process, the author has many options that need to be considered: Which journal? Which media—print or exclusively online? Should the reader or the author pay for access, or should it be published within the emerging market of open access?

The act of publishing is necessary for several reasons; firstly, the process is peer-reviewed, which sets a quality control bench-mark that all published research has to achieve. Secondly, the access of research to a wider audience allows novel information to be accessible, which can in turn influence further research and ultimately direct treatment options.

Research that does not influence medical practice is purely an academic exercise. The gold standard of research is to direct local and national evidence-based guidelines. To facilitate this process, access to results needs to be possible at local, regional, and national levels and if possible, in real time. Furthermore, such results should be clear, concise, and focused, which permits streamline and efficient research efforts. However, further thought needs to be taken regarding factors such as intellectual property and ownership of results, of particular importance when the financial burden of research efforts is considered.

Developing nations face further issues, over and above those faced by their industrialized counterparts. Such countries tend to be resource poor, which necessitates the most efficient of treatment options. More complexity is added as these countries often face different disease burdens and pathologies, patient demographics, poorer infrastructure, and significantly reduced availability of resources.

Ultimately, up-to-date research can benefit all patients, in both developing and industrialized nations, and should be considered a necessary sphere of medicine.