One of the most deeply ironic issues facing academia today is that despite having more access to research than ever before, making sense of it is only getting harder. Layer after layer of complexity has been added ever since those first few steps in the 1990s when articles were put online. Journal paywalls, open access repositories, publishing platforms, multiple citation metrics and most recently AI have all added to a sense of bewilderment for those simply seeking to publish their research.
One piece of advice shared previously in this blog has been to ‘research your research’: authors can use the unique skills they have developed over many years to investigate their own subject area and apply them to study publications. Few people realize that scholarly communication is itself a niche research subject, with several journals such as Learned Publishing and the Journal of Scholarly Publishing dedicated to it. Seeing the path to publication as something to be studied and understood is the first step towards understanding the complexity of the publishing process.
New horizons
Indeed, this is one reason why Cabells has named its new feature ‘Pathfinder’. This tool, available with a full subscription to Journalytics, maps research to the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) so authors can see how their work aligns with them. How does this work? Almost inevitably, it uses AI. Within the Journalytics platform, users upload their article abstract, introduction or summary to see a list of the SDGs that their research aligns with, along with an explanation of where and how strongly the alignment appears.
But why is this useful? Well, firstly, this mapping adds another layer to an author’s search, helping them pinpoint the best journals for their research when it comes to publication. In addition, the SDGs were created to make the world more equitable and sustainable for everyone. Research aligned with the SDGs, therefore, spans a wide range of subject areas, much of it interdisciplinary. It is often unclear where researchers’ work fits with others, and Pathfinder shows how research connects to the goals, which in turn helps authors find publications, potential collaborators and funding opportunities.
Holistic solution
In developing Pathfinder, Cabells wanted to create a more joined-up offer with its other products and tools to provide clarity through trusted information; clear signals that removed the noise that surrounds much of the academic information space. Using Pathfinder – in conjunction with the CompassAI feature and Predatory Reports database – means that researchers can see on a single platform how their own work fits in with the SDGs, while safe in the knowledge that journals on the system also come recommended, with no chance of them being predatory. In today’s challenging and chaotic world, surely that’s one path worth finding.
Find out more about Pathfinder on the website.
