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This study aims to explore the publishing policies and submission guidelines of 110 academic journals covered in the Taiwan Social Sciences Citation Index (TSSCI) during 2018 and 2019. Using document analysis, information regarding academic ethics and copyright are analyzed. The results indicate that most of the journals emphasize manuscript originality. In addition, about 40% of journals clearly indicates that authors are obliged to avoid plagiarism and provide proper and accurate citation. Less than 30% of journals specifically state the obligations and responsibilities of scholarly authors. More than 40% of journals set up regulations for co-authorship. Less than 30% of journals clearly state that authors need to make a conflict-of-interest disclosure. Still a few journals use vague or imprecise legal terms in their policies. Based on the results, this study further provides practical advice in academic publishing. Specific suggestions include providing complete submission instructions and revising them in a timely manner, reviewing journal publishing ethics and operating policy to keep in line with international practices, and formulating regulations in response to the various scholarship and journal publishing movements. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

As the number of open access (OA) journals gradually increases, their complex operation and high publication fees have attracted the attention of the academic community. This study explored the differences in article processing charge (APC) mechanism and price distribution of OA journals in the medical field. The research objects were journals in the medical field of the 2017 Journal Citation Reports (JCR) Science Citation Index Expanded. In total, 47 medical disciplines were analyzed. 2,665 journals were included after excluding duplicates included in related disciplines. Results showed that the proportion of journals with OA publishing for various medical disciplines was more than 70%. APC pricing in the medical field could be divided into six major methods, with most journals (79.95%) charging a fixed price. APCs varied greatly between journals, ranging from US$113 to US$6,000, journals charging US$3,000 were most (32.25%). Median APCs were highest (US$3,295) in the ALLERGY category. This study suggests that future expansion of research disciplines, explore the APC and pricing mechanisms in different fields, and find out the most favorable fee combination of the manuscript, hoping to have a more comprehensive understanding of APC operations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In recent years, academic ethics has garnered increased attention in Taiwan. However, due to limited understanding and discussion of self-plagiarism, no clear consensus exists on principles and standards for recognizing and handling the issue. The purpose of this study is to clarify key concepts, regulations, and best practices regarding self-plagiarism so that local scholars can approach this new ethical issue from an informed perspective. Using the method of document analysis, published articles are analyzed to illustrate current norms related to self-plagiarism. This article examines the concept of self-plagiarism in terms of the emergence of concern for this ethical issue, relevant definitions, methods for recognizing its occurrence, common types and exclusions, and the importance of avoiding the pitfalls of self-plagiarism. The analysis also cites an actual case of self-plagiarism that took place in the Netherlands to illustrate the controversies surrounding self-plagiarism. In addition, the article summarizes the historical evolution of relevant norms of self-plagiarism in Taiwan and proposes methods to guide best practices regarding ethical scholarly writing and publishing. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In some emerging countries such as China, in order to improve their academic standing, the government specifies an officially recognized list of academic journals for academics to publish their works, such as the SSIC (Social Sciences Citation Index). The author points out the shortcomings of using such an officially sanctioned list, and argues that academic freedom and the tenure system that protects it are key to the development of ideas and knowledge. The inability to establish a tenure system in China may hurt its chance to create world-class universities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Infection and Chemotherapy is a joint-journal newly born in 2003, extensively integrating two journals, Infection by The Korean Society of Infectious Diseases and Chemotherapy by the Korean Society of Chemotherapy. Infection and Chemotherapy, which maintained its character as a Korean Journal, even though published in a Korean and English mixed format, will switch its gears to an English journal, closing with the last edition volume 44, issue 6, published in December 2012. Prior to our changeover to an English journal, this column has been set aside to take our leave of the past by looking back through the history of our journal. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]