Associate Professor
Department of Library and Information Science
Pondicherry Unversity
16
Scopus Publications
Scopus Publications
Understanding scientific retractions in open access journals: patterns, causes, and post-retraction influence Ishfaq Ahmad Palla, Mangkhollen Singson Information Discovery and Delivery, 2026 Purpose This study aims to investigate open access retractions from 2010 to 2024. It aims to analyze the reasons for retraction, citation trends, geographical distribution and the journal impact factor of retracted papers. Design/Methodology/Approach The research uses bibliometric analysis of retracted open access articles indexed in Web of Science over a 15-year period (2010–2024). It examines trends in retraction volume, reasons for retraction, citation patterns before and after retraction, geographic origin of publications and the impact factor of associated journals. Findings The number of retracted articles surged significantly between 2022 and 2024 (n = 421). The primary reasons for retraction include data concerns, peer review issues, authorship conflicts and duplication, which together accounted for 89.22% of the retractions. Publications from Indian institutions made up 33.08%, while globally collaborated papers represented 66.92% of the retractions. Citation trends reflect a 46.30% overall decline, with domestic papers witnessing a sharper decrease (53.60%) compared to global publications (36.90%) post retraction. High-impact journals experienced a significant post-retraction citation decline of 57.50%. In addition, domestic publications were more commonly linked to journals with an impact factor. Originality/Value This study provides a comprehensive and updated analysis of open access retractions, highlighting geographic and collaborative patterns, citation dynamics and journal impact. It offers valuable insights into the integrity and influence of retracted research in the scholarly ecosystem.
Asymmetry of academic output: Evaluating research distribution and collaboration in LIS faculties Mangkhollen Singson, Kanagasabai Karunakaran, Thiyagarajan Sampath Journal of Librarianship and Information Science, 2026 The present study investigates the asymmetrical distribution of research productivity, publication quality, and citations among faculty of Library and Information Science in central universities. Adopting a multidimensional scientometric approach, publication data and citation data were collected using Scopus bibliographical database from 120 faculty members of 22 central universities in India. The dataset was analysed using Gini coefficients, Lorenz curves, quality-based indicators (Scopus Quartile 1 and 2 publications), and collaboration dynamics. The study findings suggest asymmetry at both intra- and inter-institutional levels. Research productivity and citations was found to be highly concentrated among a small group of faculties in many universities. Although a few universities demonstrated equitable contributions, others demonstrated pronounced inequality, which was obscured by aggregate performance metrics. These findings were further substantiated by Quality-Equity Ratio (QER), which suggest that higher publication volume does not necessary predict higher quartile journal publication. Inferential statistics results confirm that national and international collaboration significantly improves the quality, quantity, and citation of the publication. Finally, the study highlights the limitations of prevailing evaluation system that is primarily based on volume and instead advocates for integrating inequality-sensitive and quality-oriented indicators into the system to enable more equitable and context-aware research assessment in LIS and higher education.
Analysis of Retracted Open Access Publications by Indian Authors: Insights from Scopus Database Ishfaq Ahmad Palla, Mangkhollen Singson International Journal of Information Science and Management, 2025 Retracting scientific papers helps maintain the integrity of scientific literature by preventing flawed research from being considered credible in the future. This study seeks to understand better the factors leading to the retraction of open-access academic articles by Indian researchers. The Scopus database was searched between 2010 and 2023 to extract the open-access retractions. The Retraction Watch database was consulted to determine the reason for the retractions. The present study categorized retraction causes into eight distinct categories. The findings indicate that the year 2022 had the highest number of retractions (N=778, 66.04%). The most prevalent grounds for retraction were peer review manipulation (64%, N = 754), duplication (12.81%, N = 151), and plagiarism (8.99%, N = 106). The findings reveal that retracted papers with 2–6 authors were more likely to be withdrawn owing to peer review manipulation, duplication, and plagiarism. The retraction process for data duplication, falsification/and fabrication took approximately four years. Retracted articles were published in 317 unique journals; 237 had impact factors ranging from 0.1 to 96.2. Nineteen journals retracted a total of 795 (67.48%) papers. Most open-access retractions were issued to co-authored papers (N=1129, 95.84%). Nine publishers issued (N=1111, 94.31%) total retractions. Springer Nature issued the highest number of retractions (N=718, 60.95%), followed by IOP Publishing Ltd. (N=238, 20.20%) and Wiley issued (N=72, 6.11%) retraction notices.
Analysing the impact of academic policies and interventions on research productivity in Indian library and information science Mangkhollen Singson, Leeladharan Manavalan, S. Thiyagarajan Performance Measurement and Metrics, 2025 PurposeThis study seeks to examine the progression of research productivity and patterns among Indian researchers in library and information science (LIS). This study seeks to better understand the transition from intrinsic to extrinsic research motivation, focussing on the influential consequences of governmental interventions. Additionally, the study aims to assess the effects of government regulations, such as University Grant Commission (UGC) guidelines and initiatives like National Institutional Ranking Framework, IQAC (An Internal Quality Assurance Cell) and UGC-CARE (Consortium for Academic and Research Ethics), on academic autonomy and the cultivation of a “publish or perish. The goal is to determine the effectiveness of these policies in driving research output within the LIS domain in India by analysing the relationship between publishing policies and research output.Design/methodology/approachThe data were collected using the Scopus bibliographical database between 1976 and 2023 and yielded 2,853 records from 222 journals. To understand Indian researchers’ contributions to LIS, the dataset is categorized into three groups: Category A (all publications), Category B (excluding Indian journals) and Category C (excluding Indian journals and discontinued journals) to analyse trends over time. Statistical analysis was utilized using descriptive methods, t-tests, ANOVA and Pearson’s correlation and Microsoft Excel 2019 and Biblioshiny were used for visualization.FindingsThe study found a significant increase in top-tier journal publications, collaborative research and citations post-2010, corresponding with the adoption of UGC rules stressing publishing criteria for academic promotions. Library Philosophy and Practice emerged as the most chosen publishing source, while Delhi University and the University of Kashmir demonstrated outstanding research output. The study also emphasizes geographical discrepancies, the rise of newly established departments and a significant increase of authors publishing in different publications. Correlation analysis found strong connections between publication year, journal quartile, citations and author count.Research limitations/implicationsThe study acknowledges limitations, including potential biases in the Scopus database and search strategy adopted. The constraints might affect the applicability of the results. However, the insights acquired contribute to comprehending the dynamic research landscape in Indian LIS, guiding future research paths and academic policy decisions.Originality/valueThis study offers novel insights into the evolving dynamics of research productivity among Indian LIS researchers, elucidating the impact of government initiatives and academic policies. Examining patterns in publishing, preferences among academic journals and the behaviour of authors yields useful insights for policymakers, academic institutions and researchers seeking to improve research output and excellence in the field.
Intercultural Sensitivity Among University Students in India Kimneilam Singson, Ibadani S. Syiem, Mangkhollen Singson International Journal of Educational Reform, 2024 Millions of Indian students’ study at universities each year. Indian universities are diversified with students from different states and cultures. Students from different cultures communicate and interact often. However, pupils often lack intercultural awareness. The research employed Chen and Starosta's (2000) “Intercultural Sensitivity Scale” to examine Pondicherry University postgraduate students’ intercultural sensitivity. The research randomly selected 100 students from different states. No significant variations was found in intercultural sensitivity by gender, states, schedule tribes and non-schedule tribe students, Northeast students and non-Northeast students, or the subject stream. However, the study found a significant difference in intercultural sensitivity between university campus residents (hostels) and non-residents. Finally, students’ discipline had a significant influence at the multivariate level but not at the bivariate level. Residential status moderates the relationship between the subject stream and intercultural sensitivity.
Systematic examination of post- and pre-citation of Indian-authored retracted papers Ishfaq Ahmad Palla, Mangkhollen Singson, S. Thiyagarajan Learned Publishing, 2023 Retracted articles by Indian scholars have received significant attention in recent times. However, no comprehensive study has been conducted to analyse the citations of retracted papers authored by Indian researchers. This study aimed to assess the citations to retracted works published between 2001 and 2020 pre‐ and post‐retraction. The study found that there was an increase in retractions over time, with empirical data suggesting that the number of retractions has increased significantly, from 72 papers between 2001 and 2010 to 365 papers between 2011 and 2020. Duplication (n = 128) and plagiarism (n = 119) were the primary reasons for retraction. Notably, 90% of the retracted articles continued to receive citations after retraction. Among the retracted papers, eight received more than 50 post‐retraction citations, 39 received 20 to 50 citations, 347 received one to 19 citations, and 43 were not cited at all post‐retraction. There was an overall 8% decrease in citations after retraction. Retractions were observed across journals of varying impact factor, with a higher number of retractions observed in journals with an impact factor of less than 5 (n = 286; 65%). Furthermore, smaller research teams of two to five authors accounted for 72% of the total retractions.
How do researchers perceive research misbehaviors? A case study of Indian researchers Ishfaq Ahmad Palla, Mangkhollen Singson Accountability in Research, 2023 Despite ample evidence of increasing research misconduct in India, little attention has been paid to understanding researchers' perception of research integrity and research misconduct among young Indian researchers. Interviews among 30 research scholars were conducted at Pondicherry University in India to understand their experience and perception of research misconduct. The top three influencing factors for scientific misconduct, according to the participants, were unavailability of adequate funds (35%), pressure from research supervisors (29%), and desperation to publish articles (25%). The participants had witnessed research misconduct in different forms i.e., data fabrication, falsification, and plagiarism. However, plagiarism was the most often cited cause of misbehavior in our interviews. Majority of participants have witnessed or personally encountered multiple instances where authorship conflicts occurred. The other questionable research practices highlighted in the study were improper citations, authorship disputes like gift and ghost authorships, misrepresentation of statistical data, failure to publish negative results. In an increasingly diverse and changing research environment, our research calls for practical research guidelines based on honesty, openness, and accountability that can help articulate and strengthen scientists' core values. More importantly, scientific misconduct can only be prevented by using a multifaceted strategy that includes identifying instances of scientific misconduct and implementing suitable deterrents and treatments that could change the behavior associated with such misconduct.
Library Anxiety Among Marginalized University Students in Northeast India Tripti Gogoi, Mangkhollen Singson, S. Thiyagarajan Evidence Based Library and Information Practice, 2021 Objective – Library anxiety experienced by students has been discussed extensively for many decades. While the phenomenon is widely recognized, little attention has been paid to seeing its specific effect on marginalized sections of the society. The study attempts to understand the library anxiety experienced by students at three different universities in Assam. Assam is the only state in Northeast India to have private, state, and central universities. These universities draw their student populations from several different hill states in Northeast India, all of which face significant socio-political-economic challenges. Methods – A stratified random sample technique was used for the study. A total of 150 questionnaires were distributed equally among the three universities in Assam and found 119 questionnaires were fit for analysis. The study adopted the modified and validated version of the Bostick Library Anxiety Scale developed by Anwar, Al-Kandari, and Al-Qallaff (AQAK) in 2004, with 32 item statements and 4 categories. The questionnaire is divided into two parts: Demographic Variables and the Library Anxiety Scale. The categories used for the study were: Category 1 (Staff Approachability) – 11 statements; Category 2 (Feelings of Inadequacy) – 6 statements); Category 3 (Library Confidence) – 8 statements; and Category 4 (Library Constraints) – 7 statements. Results – The study hypothesized that factors such as gender, the language of instruction, type of university, and caste or community do not influence library anxiety among Northeast India students. However, the study's findings suggest that type of university influences library anxiety among students and its three constructs. Tezpur university students experience a higher level of library anxiety. Although no overall significant difference in the level of library anxiety was observed among students across gender (p=0.278, p> 0.05), the language of instruction (p=0.023, p> 0.05), castes and communities (p=0.223, p> 0.05), there was a significant difference in one construct of library anxiety among students based on gender (feelings of inadequacy), the language of education instruction (staff approachability), caste and community (feelings of inadequacy). Conclusions – Results from the present study provided compelling evidence to suggest that many students, irrespective of their gender, the language of instruction, type of university, discipline, and caste or community experience library anxiety. The difference levels of library anxiety among independent variables indicate a critical lack of information literacy skills. Overall, library anxiety scores among the students were moderate; some categories such as staff approachability, the feeling of inadequacy, and library constraint are the attributes of the students' anxiety. However, the findings of the study also suggest that students are confident in using the library. They are optimistic, enthusiastic, and keen to use library resources.
Examining the relationship between academic book citations and goodreads reader opinion and rating Annals of Library and Information Studies, 2020
A comparative analysis of retracted papers in Health Sciences from China and India Ishfaq Ahmad Palla, Mangkhollen Singson, S. Thiyagarajan Accountability in Research, 2020 Academics are expected to publish their research work. Hence, during the past few years, the scientific community has witnessed an ever-increasing growth and output in scientific papers. However, a large number of authors have violated ethical norms of research leading to retractions of their research works as well. The article focuses on the scientific fraud emanating from China and India in Health Sciences for a period of three years i.e. 2015 to 2018. The present data were extracted from http://retractiondatabase.org/using a search filter term “Research Articles OR Articles in Press” on the subject category of Health Sciences (HSC). A total of 318 retracted papers were retrieved and the result of the study indicated that majority (268 items) of the retracted papers in Health Science originated from China, whereas just 50 retracted papers originated from India as on 21-02-2019. While analyzing the data, 26 redundant articles from China have been removed that received retraction notices. Further, the results of the study suggest that there are several factors associated with retraction of scientific papers, which include unreliable results, duplication of results, plagiarism, forged authorship, error in the text, error in data and so on.
Author self-archiving and licensing policies of open access library and information science journals: A study Annals of Library and Information Studies, 2015
