Paradoxical growth of publications by authors from developing countries in gold open access journals: a commentary on Dr. Cernat’s, 2024 article

In a recent paper in Scientometrics, Cernat (Scientometrics https://doi.org/10.1007/s11192-022-04586-1, 2024) critically examines the impact of Romania's 2016 research evaluation reforms, highlighting a decline in overall scientific productivity and a shift towards publications in MDPI journals. This commentary offers an alternative perspective, arguing that the reforms' outcomes are more positive than depicted. Specifically, the shift towards higher-impact journals, even within the MDPI portfolio, signifies a strategic adaptation by Romanian researchers to the stringent evaluation criteria. The paradoxical growth in open access publications, despite significant financial barriers, underscores the willingness of researchers in developing countries to prioritize visibility and impact, challenging conventional assumptions about the limitations of open science practices in these regions. This response suggests that the reforms, while financially burdensome, have effectively redirected research efforts towards more influential journals.