Dealing ethically with the publish or perish pressure

A ldquoprofessionrdquo may be defined as ldquoan occupation requiring highly specialized education, generally accompanied by a Code of Ethicsrdquo. So why is a ldquoCode of Ethicsrdquo vital to a profession? It is because outsiders who use the products of the profession do not have the necessary knowledge or skills to discern whether they are receiving true, full, and beneficial value. The relationship between a profession and the public it serves is essentially one of trust. When we drive onto a bridge, we trust that it will not collapse. A mal-practitioner has the power to do us great harm, which underlines why ethical practice is essential. Since only the members of a given profession have the knowledge to judge professional competency, it is axiomatic that all professions must self-enforce their Code of Ethics[1].