Journal Self-Citation XIV: Right Versus Right – Gaining Clarity into the Ethical Dilemma of Editorial Self-Referencing

The practice of editorial “self-referencing” – journal editors requiring that authors include in their papers a specific number of citations from the journal in which they seek to publish – has recently garnered significant interest within the IS academic community. A recent survey of AISWorld suggests that the vast majority of respondents find this practice inappropriate and unethical. Rather than dismissing this behavior as patently unethical, this paper seeks to better understand the possible motivations for this editorial behavior. The notion of the ethical dilemma is introduced, as well as a framework to assist in analyzing them. Ultimately, the analysis suggests that while editors may feel they have worthwhile reasons for requiring self-references, the potential long term risks to the journal, the academy, and the body of knowledge outweigh those reasons

The “maternal effect” on epilepsy risk: Analysis of familial epilepsies and reassessment of prior evidence

Objective: Previous studies have observed that epilepsy risk is higher among offspring of affected women thanoffspring of affected men. We tested whether this “maternal effect” was present in familial epilepsies, which areenriched for genetic factors that contribute to epilepsy risk.Methods: We assessed evidence of a maternal effect in a cohort of families containing ≥3 persons with epilepsyusing three methods: (1) “downward-looking” analysis, comparing the rate of epilepsy in offspring of affectedwomen versus men; (2) “upward-looking” analysis, comparing the rate of the epilepsy among mothers versusfathers of affected individuals; (3) lineage analysis, comparing the the proportion of affected individuals withfamily history of epilepsy on the maternal versus paternal side.Results: Downward-looking analysis revealed no difference in epilepsy rates among offspring of affectedmothers versus fathers (prevalence ratio 1.0, 95% CI 0.8, 1.2). Upward-looking analysis revealed more affectedmothers than affected fathers; this effect was similar for affected and unaffected sibships (odds ratio 0.8, 95%CI 0.5, 1.2) and was explained by a combination of differential fertility and participation rates. Lineage analysisrevealed no significant difference in the likelihood of maternal versus paternal family history of epilepsy.Interpretation: We found no evidence of a maternal effect on epilepsy risk in this familial epilepsy cohort.Confounding sex imbalances can create the appearance of a maternal effect in upward-looking analyses andmay have impacted prior studies. We discuss possible explanations for the lack of evidence, in familialepilepsies, of the maternal effect observed in population-based studie

Incorporating Self-Interest Into Information Systems Development: A Research Model

Information systems (IS) analysis and design has much to do with “people factors.” Basically, human beings are creatures of self-interest. This paper first proposes a theory of self-interest as the theoretical base and integrative approach to understand the phenomenon of IS development. Based upon the theory proposed, a series of research propositions are then advanced to lay the basis of specifying variables and hypotheses in future research. The two research questions explored are: (1) How does IS analysis and design connote self-interest? (2) How does self-interest affect IS quality

DYNAMICS OF RODENT ASSEMBLAGES INHABITING ABANDONED PETROLEUM LANDFARMS IN OKLAHOMA

Studies on the effects of anthropogenic contamination on wildlife have largely been focused at the individual level. Biomarkers have been used to monitor changes in the health of individuals exposed to contaminants; however, little attention has been given to the effects of chronic exposure at the population or community levels. We studied rodent assemblages from uncontaminated (reference) sites (n 5 5) and abandoned petrochemical landfarms (n 5 5) in Oklahoma to investigate potential alterations in community structure and composition. Rodent assemblages inhabiting landfarms had lower species diversity, lower richness, and a more even distribution of individuals across species. Reference sites showed typical rodent assemblage structure dominated by hispid cotton rats (Sigmodon hispidus) and fulvous harvest mice (Reithrodontomys fulvescens). Assemblages inhabiting landfarms also were dominated by cotton rats; however, harvest mice were replaced by deer mice (Peromyscus maniculatus) on two landfarms. Contaminated sites also were characterized by an increase in house mice (Mus musculus) and an absence of voles (Microtus spp.). Although landfarms tended to have lower cotton rat densities, we could not separate the effects of contamination from increased bare ground associated with landfarms. The results of this study suggest that rodent assemblages were different on landfarms, when compared with reference sites. However, no direct link between site contamination and rodent community structure could be established

Supply and Demand for IS Faculty: A Longitudinal Study

The supply and demand of IS professors shifted in the last decade. Understanding the fluctuation of the IS faculty job market is a critical success factor for future planning and recruitment efforts. This paper presents the results of a longitudinal study that monitored the supply and demand of IS professors between 1992 and 2004. Data, primarily from the AIS and ICIS placement services, were analyzed to identify the trends in this market. Other relevant issues such as the composition of IS faculty position applicants, supply of IS doctorates, and trends in IS professor salary are also discussed. The paper concludes with recommendations to business and IS schools based on the findings