A Lecturer at the School of Sustainable Development at the University of Environment and Sustainable Development, Dr. Michael Appiah Karikari, has charged his fellow Academicians to check the backgrounds of Publishers or Journals they will be doing business with before handing over their works to them for publication. This will prevent them from falling victim to non-indexed or predatory Journals. Prof. Karikari gave the caution in his presentation at the maiden Seminar organized by the School of Sustainable Development of the University of Environment and sustainable Development. He spoke on the topic: “Promoting Research Quality”.
The Lecturer of Energy and Resource Economics said there are a lot of fake on- line Publishers both National and International that operate without Certification and individuals seeking to publish their works must be wary of them.
In an emotional presentation, Dr. Karikari narrated how he sadly fell victim to some of the predatory Journals which made him lose very important opportunities. He said, through hard work and determination, he was able to make his first publication with one of the most revered Publishers in Asia and by the end of his Studies in Malaysia, eight out his twelve works were published in recognized Journals. Dr. Karikari charged lecturers interested in research to pay attention to the type of Journals or Publishers they deal with in order not to be swayed by the fake ones.
He listed some accredited Journals which according to him are widely recognized, like Scopus, Web of Science and ABDC. He suggested to Management of the UESD to consider adopting them for its publications. Dr. Karikari also touched on
Plagiarism and the types of Journals Researchers must avoid. These are: Pastiche (copying of the same work), Patchwords (piecing information from other people’s work), Sham (crediting fake sources) and Cooking (concocting information).
The Energy and Resource Economic Lecturer shed light on Quality Research Ethics and Publications as a tool for raising the name of the University of Environment and Sustainable Development (UESD) in Tertiary education globally. He said to enhance research quality, researchers have to adhere to the principles of Professionalism, Transparency and Accountability. They should avoid Plagiarism. He commended his Department for organising the Seminar.
In his remarks, the Chairman for the Seminar, Prof. Anthony Amoah encouraged the participants particularly Researchers to take the Seminars very seriously as it is the surest way to enhance their works.
The Vice-Chancellor of the UESD, Prof. Eric Nyarko-Sampson who was the guest of honour noted that the Academic Board of the UESD was yet to agree on reputable publishing houses for Research Publications. He expressed the hope that with the continuous organization of Seminars it will place the University in higher rankings.
The Dean of the School of Sustainable Development and Chairman of the Seminar Prof. Anthony Amoah inaugurated a four member Planning Committee to oversee the organisation of Seminars in the School. Members were, Dr. Michael Appiah Karikari, (Chairman), Dr. Angela Kyerewa Ayisi-Addo, Dr. Christian Ayisi Larbi and Madam Joyce A. Yeboah.
The Seminar was also attended by some Lecturers from SNES and the School of Sustainable Development as well as some members of Staff and students.
