{"status":"ok","message-type":"work","message-version":"1.0.0","message":{"indexed":{"date-parts":[[2026,8,23]],"date-time":"2026-08-23T16:04:18Z","timestamp":1787501058556,"version":"build-2736575974"},"reference-count":30,"publisher":"Wiley","issue":"1","license":[{"start":{"date-parts":[[2026,1,15]],"date-time":"2026-01-15T00:00:00Z","timestamp":1768435200000},"content-version":"vor","delay-in-days":14,"URL":"http:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by-nc-nd\/4.0\/"},{"start":{"date-parts":[[2026,1,1]],"date-time":"2026-01-01T00:00:00Z","timestamp":1767225600000},"content-version":"tdm","delay-in-days":0,"URL":"http:\/\/doi.wiley.com\/10.1002\/tdm_license_1.1"}],"content-domain":{"domain":["esskajournals.onlinelibrary.wiley.com"],"crossmark-restriction":true},"short-container-title":["J. exp. orthop."],"published-print":{"date-parts":[[2026,1]]},"abstract":"<jats:title>Abstract<\/jats:title>\n                  <jats:sec>\n                    <jats:label\/>\n                    <jats:p>\n                      The integration of artificial intelligence (AI), the rise of mega\u2010journals, and the manipulation of impact factors present challenges to scientific integrity. These trends threaten the core principles of objectivity, reproducibility, and transparency. This editorial highlights two categories of threats: (1) external pressures, such as AI misuse and metric\u2010driven publishing models, and (2) internal systemic flaws, including the\n                      <jats:italic>\u2018publish or perish\u2019<\/jats:italic>\n                      culture and methodological fragility. Mega\u2010journals, characterized by high\u2010volume publishing and broad interdisciplinary scopes, improve accessibility and accelerate dissemination. However, the emphasis on publication volume might weaken the rigor of peer review. To navigate these challenges, the authors propose a balanced approach that harnesses innovation without compromising scientific integrity. Proposed solutions include mandating AI transparency through frameworks like CONSORT\u2010AI, and redefining impact metrics to emphasize reproducibility, mentorship, and societal impact alongside citations. Scientific journals should promote career opportunities less on publication quantity and more on quality. Global cooperation, via initiatives like the San Francisco Declaration on Research Assessment (DORA) and the Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE), is essential to standardize ethics and address resource disparities. This editorial proposes solutions for researchers, journals, and policymakers to realign academic incentives and uphold the ethical foundation of the science. By fostering transparency, accountability, and equity, the scientific community can preserve its ethical foundations while embracing transformative tools\u2014ultimately advancing knowledge and serving society.\n                    <\/jats:p>\n                  <\/jats:sec>\n                  <jats:sec>\n                    <jats:title>Level of Evidence<\/jats:title>\n                    <jats:p>Level V.<\/jats:p>\n                  <\/jats:sec>","DOI":"10.1002\/jeo2.70397","type":"journal-article","created":{"date-parts":[[2026,1,15]],"date-time":"2026-01-15T14:03:56Z","timestamp":1768485836000},"update-policy":"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1002\/crossmark_policy","source":"Crossref","is-referenced-by-count":3,"title":["Preserving scientific integrity in academic publishing: Navigating artificial intelligence, journal policies, and the impact factor as a quality indicator"],"prefix":"10.1002","volume":"13","author":[{"given":"Mahmut Enes","family":"Kayaalp","sequence":"first","affiliation":[{"name":"Department of Orthopaedics and Traumatology University of Health Sciences, Istanbul Fatih Sultan Mehmet Training and Research Hospital Istanbul Turkey"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"given":"Stefano","family":"Zaffagnini","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"II Clinica, IRCCS Istituto Ortopedico Rizzoli Bologna Italy"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"given":"Michael A.","family":"Mont","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Sinai Hospital of Baltimore Baltimore Maryland USA"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"given":"Jon","family":"Karlsson","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Department of Orthopaedics Sahlgrenska University Hospital, Sahlgrenska Academy, Gothenburg University Gothenburg Sweden"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"given":"Bruce","family":"Reider","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Department of Orthopedic Surgery and Rehabilitation Medicine University of Chicago Pritzker School of Medicine Chicago Illinois USA"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"given":"Olufemi","family":"Ayeni","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Division of Orthopaedic Surgery McMaster University Hamilton Ontario Canada"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"given":"Thomas","family":"Heyse","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Red Cross Hospital Frankfurt Frankfurt Germany"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"given":"Henning","family":"Madry","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Center for Experimental Orthopaedics Saarland University Homburg Germany"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"given":"Elmar","family":"Herbst","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Department of Trauma, Hand and Reconstructive Surgery University of Muenster  Germany"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"given":"Giuseppe","family":"Milano","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Department of Medical and Surgical Specialties, Radiological Sciences, and Public Health University of Brescia Brescia Italy"},{"name":"Department of Bone and Joint Surgery ASST Spedali Civili Brescia Italy"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"given":"Volker","family":"Musahl","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, UPMC Freddie Fu Sports Medicine Center University of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Pennsylvania USA"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"given":"Roland","family":"Becker","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Department of Orthopaedics and Traumatology University Hospital Brandenburg\/Havel, Brandenburg Medical School Theodor Fontane Brandenburg\/Havel Germany"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"given":"Michael T.","family":"Hirschmann","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Department of Orthopedic Surgery and Traumatology Kantonsspital Baselland Bruderholz Switzerland"},{"name":"Department of Clinical Research, Research Group Michael T. Hirschmann, Regenerative Medicine &amp; Biomechanics University of Basel Basel Switzerland"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]}],"member":"311","published-online":{"date-parts":[[2026,1,15]]},"reference":[{"key":"e_1_2_17_2_1","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1073\/pnas.2407886121"},{"key":"e_1_2_17_3_1","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1126\/science.342.6154.60"},{"key":"e_1_2_17_4_1","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.2519\/jospt.2023.12016"},{"key":"e_1_2_17_5_1","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1242\/dmm.012955"},{"key":"e_1_2_17_6_1","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1038\/s41591-020-1037-7"},{"key":"e_1_2_17_7_1","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1007\/978-3-319-50627-2_7"},{"key":"e_1_2_17_8_1","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.5812\/atr.18161"},{"key":"e_1_2_17_9_1","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1002\/j.1662-6370.2001.tb00320.x"},{"key":"e_1_2_17_10_1","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.2196\/45322"},{"key":"e_1_2_17_11_1","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1371\/journal.pmed.0020124"},{"key":"e_1_2_17_12_1","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1001\/jama.2023.3212"},{"key":"e_1_2_17_13_1","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1002\/ksa.12014"},{"key":"e_1_2_17_14_1","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1002\/ksa.12628"},{"key":"e_1_2_17_15_1","first-page":"1","article-title":"The Lindau Nobel Laureate Meeting 2018: Added value \u2010 and reflection \u2010 for participants, institutes and disciplines","volume":"40","author":"Lewis P","year":"2019","journal-title":"Neuro Endocrinol Lett"},{"key":"e_1_2_17_16_1","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1038\/s41591-020-1034-x"},{"key":"e_1_2_17_17_1","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1016\/j.sipas.2023.100155"},{"key":"e_1_2_17_18_1","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1177\/17470161211068745"},{"key":"e_1_2_17_19_1","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1038\/s41562-016-0021"},{"key":"e_1_2_17_20_1","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1126\/science.aab2374"},{"key":"e_1_2_17_21_1","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1002\/ksa.12389"},{"key":"e_1_2_17_22_1","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1186\/s41239-024-00487-w"},{"key":"e_1_2_17_23_1","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1016\/j.ejim.2024.07.012"},{"key":"e_1_2_17_24_1","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1126\/scitranslmed.3002249"},{"key":"e_1_2_17_25_1","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"SeeberM CattaneoM BiroliniSAcademic publishing business models: self\u2010citations and the selectivity\u2010reputation trade\u2010off. 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