ADUN SPEAKS | Impact of publishing in academic journals vs popular media

ADUN SPEAKS | A journalist friend of mine sent me an article titled “Prof, no one is reading you” from the Straits Times about two days ago.

I found the article interesting in that it sought to revisit the old but relevant debate about whether academics and university professors should confine their publications to peer-reviewed journals and not the popular media.

The authors basically argue that while publishing in peer-reviewed journals is significant in the sense that they determine the promotion of the academics, it is not altogether clear whether they influence policy decisions.

This is because the peer-reviewed journals are read by an average of ten people mostly in the respective academic disciplines.

Even if publications in the popular media might not have the high standards of research findings, they are read by many with the possibility of influencing policy decisions.

It is true that when it comes to academic promotions, universities place more weight on peer-reviewed publications rather than those published in the popular media.

But publications in the peer-reviewed journals might not get the readership required to influence public opinions on a variety of matters.

Another equally compelling reason why academics frown upon publishing in the popular media is that they are not considered “scientific” enough.

This may be true in some instances but not necessarily for all. It really depends on the academic disciplines in question.

Not mutually exclusive spheres

Publishing in peer-reviewed journals and the popular media cannot be construed as engaging in mutually exclusive spheres.

In fact over the years, there is a growing realisation by academics that publishing in the popular media is as important as in respected peer-reviewed journals.

While peer-reviewed journals might have the tendency to make esoteric engagements thereby limiting readership, the popular media can address the gap by allowing for a larger readership.

Most significantly, since the readership is broader for the popular media, thoughts and ideas on policy matters might have an indirect influence on policy matters.

I started publishing in online publications such as Malaysiakini more than 20 years ago while I was an academic at UKM.

With the emergence of other popular media publications, I have broadened my base.

I think I have published hundreds of articles in this period on a variety of topics under the broad subject matter of political economy.

Presently, I am considering them for publication. Whether these popular publications have an impact or not I am not sure.

But one thing is sure, my online publications have obtained a bigger readership than compared to those that I published in academic peer-reviewed journals.

I do concede the fact that publications in the popular media might not be subject to peer review as the academic ones, but they perform an important function in society, especially for those enthusiastic about the latest news and information.

Rather than seeing publications in academic journals and those in the popular media as mutually exclusive, the publications must be seen as complementary.

Publications in the popular media provide an opportunity for academics to present alternative views on society in comparison to those considered mainstream ones.

P RAMASAMY is Perai assemblyperson and Penang deputy chief minister II.

The views expressed here are those of the author/contributor and do not necessarily represent the views of Malaysiakini.