Publishing with impact factor – a blessing or a curse?

Abstract

Reporting and publishing research from a country with limited research capacity experiences from an editor Christos Lionis as chief and associate editor that serves certain European and International biomedical journals presents key issues that researchers need to be aware when they prepare, present and submit their work to maximise their chances of publication. Sufficient reporting and all the steps: (a) Planning ahead or thinking about the type or research, (b) Choosing a suitable journal, (c) Considering what before submission – are discussed in the article. However, a successful publication with an impact factor in a well-recognized journal is not only achieved by the fundamental steps that the author needs to undertake but also by certain “secrets” which are presented within the paper. Common pitfalls when research is reported will be highlighted by the author, while recommendations for a successful reporting of the research findings. To what extent publishing with impact factor is a blessing or a curse would be also approached within the paper. The information that this article provides is based on personal experiences of an editor in certain biomedical journals but it is important not to forget that in clinical practice it is critical to be passionate about dis- coveries to make an effect in regards to the patients’ benefits.