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The new policy regarding the subsidisation of research publication outputs by the Department of Higher Education & Training (DHET) was published on 11 March 2015 and will be implemented in 2016. The complete policy can be found here. African Online Scientific Information Systems (pty) Ltd (AOSIS) published some comments on this new policy and highlighted certain aspects that are new. These comments can be found here. In addition to these comments the Division for Research Development would also like to bring the following to your attention:
- The new policy places a lot of emphasis on research integrity – this is especially applicable in two areas i.e. conduct of researchers and affiliation of authors
- Researchers are urged to focus on quality of research and not the accrual of maximum number of units. The practice of recycling of previously published work and dividing the outcome of research between articles are highlighted as problematic.
- Institutions are urged to claim subsidy only for researchers that have a legitimate and formal affiliation to the institution. The Report on the Evaluation of the 2013 Universities' Research Outputs specifically mentions the case of visiting scholars that spend very little time at the claiming institution as well as appointing honorary employees based elsewhere as affiliated authors, as not acceptable. They warn that, if this continues, that they will be forced to develop their own sanctions and regulations.
- The Report also refers to so called 'predatory' publishers where the focus is on financial gain and not good scholarly practices. Some of the journals by these publishers are accredited but have been removed from the databases after complaints were received. One such case was the Mediterranean Center of Social and Education Research whose journals were all removed from ProQuest's IBSS list. Researchers are urged to ensure to consult the lists of predatory journals and not submit their claims in any journal that does not adhere to the research output policy since this constitutes fraudulent activity.
- Peer review prior to publication and proof thereof in the case of books is not a new requirement and has been in place for several years now. A mere statement that peer review has taken place has been insufficient since DHET wants details re the process that had been followed. The new policy now also states that peer review needs to have taken place on the whole manuscript and not only in the proposal phase. In addition to details re the peer review process a written justification by the author (in the case of books) or the editor (in the case of chapters in books) have to provided. The justification needs to indicate the following:
- The target audience
- The originality of the book and the contribution it makes towards existing knowledge in the field
- A declaration that the work is not plagiarized or published elsewhere
- In the past SU has submitted later editions and theses/dissertations if evidence had been provided that it had been substantially reworked or added, so this is not an addition to the current policy.
- The requirements re peer review for conference proceedings have been in place for several years. The only new development is the introduction of accredited proceedings that have to be audited in the same way as journal articles in accredited journals. In addition to the accredited proceedings institutions will still be able to submit contributions in proceedings that are not accredited provided they meet the required criteria.
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Published Date: 6/3/2015
Visibly Featured Approved: SU Main Snippet;
GUID Original Article: 8D9F5F84-88A9-4D84-AAB4-45F8BB7CFF60
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Opsomming: Die nuwe beleid rondom die subsidiëring van navorsingspublikasie-uitsette deur die Departement van Hoër Onderwys & Opleiding (DHOO) is op 11 Maart 2015 gepubliseer en word in 2016 geïmplementeer.
Summary: The new policy regarding the subsidisation of research publication outputs by the Department of Higher Education & Training (DHET) was published on 11 March 2015 and will be implemented in 2016.