Polemic with a text: "Analysis of the problem regarding publishing the scientific articles written in English in humanities and social sciences by scholars originated and educated in non-English speaking countries" (Wagner 2012)

Abstract

In the presented polemical article I discuss the paper by Izabela Wagner (Selektywna analiza problemu publikacji humanistów i przedstawicieli nauk społecznych w języku angielskim [Analysis of the problem regarding publishing the scientific articles written in English in humanities and social sciences by scholars originated and educated in non-English speaking countries], „Przegląd Socjologii Jakościowej”, 2012, t. 8, nr 1, s. 166–187). One of the main issues of her polemic was the process of articles’ review in the scientific international journals. On the basis of her single experience with an American journal, Wagner presents a very negative view on this process. However, neither the author of the presented polemic, nor other known to him Polish scientist who have published articles in the international journals in the area of social sciences have encountered problems described by Wagner. In my opinion, such information is very important for the readers of PSJ, since subjective and pejorative presentation of the reviewing process might cause prejudices towards publishing articles in the international journals among the Polish scientists. Additionally, I described in detail the process of assignment of points to the international journals by the Polish Ministry of Science and Higher Education (the knowledge of which might help to avoid important misunderstandings). Moreover, I presented the possible ways of dealing with unethical editor’s behavior described by Wagner and analyzed her advices on publishing strategies and international career.