ACADEMIC INTEGRITY AND EXCELLENCE IN RESEARCH AND PUBLISHING.

Abstract

Academic integrity is fundamental for credible research and publishing, yet global academic systems face a plethora of rising challenges such as, plagiarism, falsification, predatory publishing, and systemic embedded pressure, christened “publish or perish.” These challenges undermine the pursuit of credibility and excellence in research, and greatly erode public trust in higher education. This paper critically examines patterns of misconduct, the structural drivers that perpetuate them, and their disproportionate impact on academic excellence and research. Drawing on literatures and policy frameworks, the paper proposes pathways for strengthening integrity among academics and students, reforming institutional governance, improving publishing standards, and building capacity in resource-constrained contexts. The paper concludes that integrity is the cornerstone of excellence and calls for reforms that shift academic cultures toward quality-driven, context-sensitive, and equitable practices.