Publish or Perish: a systematic review of interventions to increase academic publication rates

Abstract

Background: Academics are expected to publish. In Australia, Universities receive extra funding based on their publication rates and academic promotion is difficult without a good publication track record. However, the reality is that only a small percentage of academics are actively publishing. To fix this problem, a number of Universities and other Institutions have implemented interventions with the main aim being to increase the number of publications. Method: A comprehensive literature search identified 17 studies published between 1984 and 2004, which examined the effects of these interventions. Results: Three key types of interventions were identified; writing courses, writing support groups, and writing coaches or mentors. The resulting publication rates varied enormously, but all interventions led to an increase in publication for the participants.