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!

Latest Articles

Trending

In Practice

Evidence-Based Publication Planning: Mapping the Literature

Evidence-Based Publication Planning: Mapping the Literature

A comprehensive understanding of the clinical data and scientific literature in a therapeutic area underpins publication planning. Gap analysis is one long-standing publication planning tool that can be used for this purpose, but what makes a good gap analysis?…

From ISMPP

ISMPP Member Publications and Presentations

ISMPP Member Publications and Presentations

ISMPP is pleased to share information about a journal editor survey conducted by Medical Publishing Insights & Practices (MPIP), the recent release of COMPare study results, and the 26 posters from the 2019 European Meeting of ISMPP…

Exciting News from The MAP Working Group

Exciting News from The MAP Working Group

The MAP Working Group is excited to introduce “What Would You Do?” an engaging and interactive poll now available in The MAP newsletter. All readers are welcome to participate! “What Would You Do?” presents case scenarios as an educational opportunity…

What Would You Do?

POLL: Adding an Author at Final Draft Stage?

You are pleased to see that an author of an abstract at final draft has sent her final comments because the submission deadline is just days away. However, the author has also included a request to add one of her colleagues as an author to the abstract…

This poll is closed. Poll results will be released in October 2021.

POLL RESULTS: Compensating a Statistician Author for Time Spent on a Manuscript?

You are a company medical publication professional. A freelance consultant statistician is paid by the sponsor to undertake complex analyses for a study. These data are to be included in a manuscript and the statistician is invited to participate as an author so that the data can be appropriately described. The statistician agrees, but requests to be compensated for the time spent contributing to the manuscript…

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.

Content Lab

No Results Found

The page you requested could not be found. Try refining your search, or use the navigation above to locate the post.

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.​

Knowledge Hub

Explore

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.
Blue, Green, & White icon with scales of justice, integrity badge, and checkmark

Ethics, Integrity, & Transparency

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

Blue, Green, & White icon with scales of justice, integrity badge, and checkmark

Medical Writing & Communications

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

Blue, Green, & White icon with scales of justice, integrity badge, and checkmark

Standards, Guidelines, & Policies

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

Blue, Green, & White icon with scales of justice, integrity badge, and checkmark

Innovation & Technology

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

Blue, Green, & White icon with scales of justice, integrity badge, and checkmark

Publication Strategy & Planning

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

Blue, Green, & White icon with scales of justice, integrity badge, and checkmark

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.

Follow Us

Subscribe to Insider

Subscribe to Blog via Email

Enter your email address to subscribe to this blog and receive notifications of new posts by email.