Science Friday Why Editors At Scientific Journals Are Resigning En Masse
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Jan 23, 2025 
In a revealing conversation, Andrea Taylor, a biological anthropologist and former co-editor of the Journal of Human Evolution, joins Ivan Oransky, distinguished journalist and co-founder of Retraction Watch. They delve into the troubling wave of editor resignations in scientific publishing, driven by ethical dilemmas and financial pressures from publishers. The duo discusses the impact on editorial quality, the challenges of balancing quantity over quality in research papers, and what the future may hold for credibility in scientific literature.
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Journal Business Models
- Scientific journals operate on subscriptions and article processing charges (APCs).
- APCs, ranging from $99 to $13,000, allow open access but incentivize quantity over quality.
Resignation from Journal of Human Evolution
- Dr. Andrea Taylor and her editorial board resigned from the Journal of Human Evolution due to ethical concerns.
- The push for faster publication and quantity compromised their focus on quality and integrity.
Declining Quality of Scientific Literature
- An increase in retractions and corrections signals a decline in scientific literature quality.
- The focus on volume undermines peer review and public trust in science.