Introduction
The rise of academic publishing in India has brought with it a growing demand for journal support services. As institutions tighten expectations around publication for degree completion, promotions, and project funding, many researchers turn to professional services for help. But who is actually using these services? Are they limited to students struggling with writing, or are faculty and research consultants also relying on them? This blog examines the users of journal support services in the Indian academic context, distinguishing between assumptions and practical realities.
Understanding Journal Support Services
Journal support services refer to professional assistance in the preparation and submission of manuscripts for academic journals.
They do not involve ghostwriting or authorship claims but typically assist with:
- Language editing and proofreading
- Formatting according to journal style
- Journal shortlisting
- Submission support
- Guidance on responding to reviewer comments
- Plagiarism checking and technical corrections
These services function to support researchers in meeting formal publishing requirements without interfering in the intellectual content or originality of the research.
Students: Navigating the Process for the First Time
PhD and postgraduate students form a significant portion of users of journal support services in India.
Many face the challenge of publishing for the first time while dealing with:
- Unfamiliarity with journal expectations
- Difficulty with academic English writing
- Limited mentorship in publication strategy
- Pressure to publish before submission of thesis
For these reasons, students often seek help with formatting, editing, or journal selection. This is especially true in cases where institutional support is minimal or where language barriers exist. While some use these services only once to understand the process, others rely on them at various stages of their academic programme.
Students in fields like pharmacy, education, and engineering often turn to these services as a one-time support system to fulfil course or university requirements for publication.
Faculty: Balancing Research with Other Duties
Contrary to assumptions, faculty members also regularly use journal support services. For them, the motivations are often linked to time constraints and institutional obligations.
Faculty are expected to:
- Maintain a steady publication record for promotion
- Meet criteria under API score requirements
- Supervise student research while pursuing their own work
- Handle teaching, administrative, and mentoring responsibilities
Given these demands, many faculty seek help with language editing, formatting, or submission logistics. Junior faculty members may also use services to better understand the submission workflow or to meet targets in the early stages of their career.
In research-intensive institutions, faculty often prefer to focus on research design and analysis while outsourcing technical tasks. The use of support services, in this context, is not seen as inappropriate or unethical but as a division of labour for efficiency.
Consultants: Supporting Academic and Non-Academic Clients
A third and increasingly visible group includes independent research consultants, freelancers, and agencies. These users typically work with clients from academic, medical, or professional backgrounds and use journal support services to assist in managing projects.
For example:
- Medical professionals may require assistance in preparing case studies or clinical papers for submission.
- NGOs may seek publication of reports in indexed journals for funding credibility.
- Private educational institutions may hire consultants to guide faculty in publishing to improve institutional rankings.
These consultants may use editing, formatting, and plagiarism-check services to ensure deliverables meet client and journal expectations. Importantly, these users are not themselves authors but facilitators of the publishing process. Their use of support services is more about project management than individual authorship.
Institutional Acceptance and Ethical Use
In India, there is no academic policy that prohibits the use of journal support services for technical tasks such as editing, formatting, or submission guidance. What is considered unethical is outsourcing original research, data analysis, or authorship.
When services are limited to administrative or linguistic assistance, they are generally accepted, especially if:
- The author retains full ownership of the research
- No false claims about impact or peer review are made
- The service provider does not engage in publication guarantees
Several Indian universities now include workshops or training sessions in collaboration with editing services to familiarise researchers with the publication process. This indicates a broad institutional acceptance of these services when used within ethical boundaries.
Misconceptions and Cautions
Despite their usefulness, journal support services often face criticism rooted in misconceptions. One of the most common is that using any service automatically reduces the value of the research. In reality, most journals do not object to professional editing or formatting, and some even recommend it, especially for non-native English speakers.
However, users—whether students, faculty, or consultants—should exercise caution:
- Avoid services that guarantee acceptance or promote predatory journals
- Verify the reputation of journals independently, even if shortlisted by a service
- Disclose professional assistance if required by journal policy
- Avoid overdependence, especially in the early stages of academic career building
The key issue is not whether support is used, but how responsibly it is integrated into the research workflow.
Conclusion
Journal support services in India are used by a wide range of individuals—PhD students seeking guidance, faculty members managing competing responsibilities, and consultants supporting diverse clients. These services are not limited to a specific group or level of expertise.
When used ethically and responsibly, they contribute to more efficient, professional, and technically sound submissions. They do not replace research but assist in navigating the non-intellectual hurdles of academic publishing.
Understanding who uses these services—and why—can help remove stigma and promote more transparent discussions about support in academia. In a competitive and complex research environment, seeking assistance is not a sign of weakness but a reflection of strategic planning and workload management.