In 2024, the number of articles published in journals indexed by Web of Science has almost tripled compared to a decade ago – a rate that outpaces neighbouring countries and stands out in the EU context. But alongside this impressive dynamism comes the question: does this increase automatically translate into a jump in quality?
The discussion is updated by the analysis of economist Oleg Krasnopjorov (Delfi “Versijas”, 08.09.2025), who points out that the main part of the growth is attributable to Emerging Sources (lower impact) magazines, as well as to MDPI and Frontiers. The rise of these channels is a global phenomenon, but in Latvia it has become particularly pronounced and thus affects not only measurement statistics, but also academic culture and career decisions.
Why is the “quantity boom” not always a victory for quality?
1) Changing the publishing ecosystem. Open Access and rapid peer review models make publishing more accessible and faster. This helps PhD students and academics to meet formal criteria (for re-election, dissertation defence, etc.). At the same time, if editorial and peer review standards fluctuate, there is a risk of “diluting” the publication bar.
2) Metric pressure. Decisions on positions, funding and ratings are often based on the number of publications and citations. When the “count” tool dominates over content and impact assessment, the “illusion of quantity” sets in: CVs get longer, but public and industry impact is not necessarily greater.
3) International practice is becoming stricter. In several countries (e.g. Nordic countries), some journals/publications are evaluated with caution or with less weight in recruitment and institutional evaluations. Signal: quality management is becoming as important as openness and accessibility.
What should Latvian research organisations do?
A. Introduce clear quality guidelines. It is worthwhile for institutions and boards to agree on minimum quality criteria (journal category, transparency of peer review, ethics of editorial practice) and on the balance between quantity and impact (e.g. more weight for higher impact journals, monographs, datasets, software/technology outputs that create value for industry and society).
B. Diversify recognition of results. Not only articles – patents, prototypes, open datasets, software libraries, policy recommendations, consortium management, etc. should also be systematically recognised as outputs of academic impact.
C. Support the quality of international cooperation. Lead partners, Horizon Europe joint projects, joint PhDs, interdisciplinary consortia and data sharing often increase the quality of publications, even if the number of publications does not grow as quickly. Fewer “one-off” special issues; more jointly built research programmes.
D. Mentoring and editing support. New authors and those with less experience of international publication need practical support: selection of target journals, structural and language editing, verification of data and methodology, compliance with open science requirements.
E. Responsible publishing strategy. Emerging Sources, MDPI and Frontiers are not “forbidden fruit”, but they should not dominate a researcher’s or institution’s portfolio. Balance and transparent internal policies will help avoid reputational risks.
How we can help
HR Line EU works in three areas to help turn “quantity” into sustainable quality:
- Support for scientific research. We offer project planning, literature reviews, data collection and analysis design, statistical and visualisation support, language editing, target journal mapping and ethical/open science compliance checks. The aim is to increase the quality of publication, not just the number.
- International scientific cooperation. We connect researchers with EU consortia, universities and industry partners, set up MoUs, help with work packages, outcome indicators (KPIs) and governance mechanisms (data management, IPR, ethics). High-quality collaboration usually means higher-value results and better impact.
- Student recruitment and the PhD pathway. We support talent attraction (BA/MSc/PhD), create fellowship and internship programmes together with companies and research centres. This helps institutions to stabilise research capacities and improve the quality of outputs in the long term.
Conclusion
A rise in the number of Latvian publications is a possibility – but only if we manage quality rather than succumb to the inertia of metrics. Smart publication policies, partnerships with leading centres and targeted work with data and methods can translate statistical success into real scientific impact – for the economy, society and education. We help to design and implement this path.
Frequently asked questions (FAQ)
1) Do you help select the journal and prepare the manuscript according to its requirements?
Yes. We analyse the selection of target journals, check compliance with author guidelines, help with structure, language and scientific editing, reference and data management to increase the chances of acceptance in quality journals.
2) Can you attract international partners for joint projects and publications?
Yes. We map potential partners (universities, companies, labs), help with LoI/MoUs, project work packages and consortium governance rules, and prepare Horizon Europe-type application sections (impact, data management, dissemination).
3) Do you help recruit students and PhD students for specific research topics?
Yes. We develop recruitment campaigns, selection criteria, incentive mechanisms and collaborative offers with industry. The aim is to attract talent and stabilise the research capacity needed to deliver high quality results.
Inspired by Oleg Krasnopjorov on the causes of the dynamics of Latvian publications and the importance of quality regulation (Delfi “Versijas”, 08.09.2025)
