Nature 441, 792 (15 June 2006)

Cash for papers: putting a premium on publication

Ichiko Fuyuno and David Cyranoski, Tokyo

Trend for financial incentives spreads in Asia.

Financial rewards for publishing high-profile papers are spreading. Starting later this month, South Korean researchers will receive US$3,000 from the government when they publish in elite journals. And that’s a pittance compared with China, where some scientists can rake in more than ten times that amount.

As institutions and countries strive for international recognition, some are hoping that publication bonuses will help. But critics fear that this strategy could lead to a dangerous fixation on a few indicators of scientific success.

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