Shining the Spotlight: The Dark Side of Publishing Gets Even Darker

Predatory publishing has evolved beyond questionable journals into a complex ecosystem of paper mills, review manipulation, and AI-enabled fraud. This article explores emerging threats to research integrity and introduces the Quad P framework—Prevention, Probing, Protection, and Preservation—to help professionals identify risks and safeguard the publication lifecycle.

Restoring Trust in Science: What Would Make a Difference?

In this post inspired by an ISMPP U webinar co-hosted with the Council of Science Editors (CSE), Steve Smith explores the growing gap between scientific transparency and public trust. Drawing on expert perspectives, the piece argues that restoring trust will require stronger incentives, more disciplined communication, and a genuine commitment to listening to the communities that science aims to serve.

Get Ready for the ISMPP Annual Meeting—and Make It Count

The 2026 Annual Meeting of ISMPP takes place on April 19-22 in Washington, D.C. See you there!

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What I Would Like You to Know: A Regulatory Expert’s Perspective

What I Would Like You to Know: A Regulatory Expert’s Perspective

What are one or two things you want your medical publication colleagues to know from your experience as a regulatory professional working on scientific publications? Increasingly, authors of medical publications aim to provide regulatory context for, or demonstrate the regulatory significance of, their findings with respect to…

How Article-Level Metrics Can Improve Your Publication Planning

How Article-Level Metrics Can Improve Your Publication Planning

Effective publication planning requires a good understanding of the uptake and impact of individual publications. In the past, our ability to measure this has been limited because publication planners have only had access to journal impact factors and citation counts. With the advent of web-native and article-level metrics…

Advisory Boards: Words of Advice and a 10-point Checklist

Advisory Boards: Words of Advice and a 10-point Checklist

Are you considering running an advisory board meeting? Do you want to improve on an advisory board you managed recently – or are you about to start planning your first? Do you have questions such as: How do I plan the meeting? How can I ensure compliance with regulations? Whom should I invite? How can I ensure the meeting meets my objectives?…

From ISMPP

ISMPP West 2020: Our Profession in a COVID-19-Impacted World

ISMPP West 2020: Our Profession in a COVID-19-Impacted World

The virtual ISMPP West 2020 meeting, October 1-2, focused on the topics-of-the-day as they relate to medical publications and communications in a COVID-19-impacted world. With 126 participants, the meeting – themed The Winds of Change: Navigating Uncharted Territory for Medical Communication Professionals – was…

What Would You Do?

Adverse Event Inclusion Just Before Abstract Submission

A medical writer worked with authors to develop a congress abstract for a Phase 2 clinical study. Two days before submission, the lead author requests an additional ‘medical narrative’ statement to be added detailing the management steps and time to resolution of an adverse event seen in one patient. What would you do?

POLL: Journal Questions Medical Writer Acknowledgement & Funding

The lead author of a meta-analysis manuscript received a rejection notice from a journal that stated “…although the topic may be of interest to the readership, the Editors are concerned about the perception of bias given the statement of funding support from the sponsor and the participation of a paid, professional medical writer.” The lead author has emailed all authors, sponsor, and medical communications agency suggesting that the manuscript be revised by the authors alone so that acknowledgement of the medical writer and funding from the sponsor to support medical writing can be removed…

In our role as medical publication professionals, we may occasionally encounter situations in which it is not obvious how to ensure good publication practice. Have you ever wished you could consult the ISMPP membership for guidance when these situations arise? Here’s your opportunity!

What Would You Do? is a section of ISMPP Insider that presents case scenarios as an educational tool for medical publication professionals. The section provides a case scenario to ponder, and readers are invited to participate in a poll by selecting one of the listed solutions. Readers can also submit their thoughts on the scenario anonymously. The poll results, plus educational insights, are posted in a later issue for readers to digest.

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About Content Lab

Content Lab is ISMPP Insider’s dedicated space for timely, relevant, and practical insights in medical communications. Content Lab features concise articles designed to inform, inspire, and spark conversation among our members.​

Whether you’re looking for a quick tip or a deeper dive into the challenges and opportunities facing medical publication and communication professionals,Content Lab delivers informed perspectives, straight from ISMPP. Our goal: to beyour trusted voice for advancing best practices, integrity, and innovation in medical communications.​

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ISMPP Insider’s Knowledge Hub represents a central space for exploring and discovering content, new and older. Content is organized across foundational and applied themes and topics. Explore curated collections or targeted searches to view recent and archival material.
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Ethics, Integrity, & Transparency

Principles, values, and real-world considerations that guide ethical decision-making, transparency, and trust in medical publications and communications (the WHY)

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Medical Writing & Communications

Practical perspectives on writing quality, collaboration, and the day-to-day practice and craft of medical communications

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Standards, Guidelines, & Policies

Authoritative guidelines, policies, and evolving requirements that operationalize ethical and transparent practices and support consistent implementation  (the HOW)

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Innovation & Technology

Informed perspectives on emerging tools, technologies, and evolving practices shaping the future of medical communications

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Publication Strategy & Planning

Strategic approaches to planning, aligning, and delivering evidence and publications across the research lifecycle

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Professional Development & Community

Insights and experiences that support career growth, skills development, and engagement across the medical communications community

Some sections of our new ISMPP Insider blog are still a work-in-progress. Thank you for your patience as we continue to optimize the site for our community.

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