Why doesn RPES give more credit for publishing articles in quality journals? Isn publication prima facie evidence of an important contribution?
This is a source of confusion to some scientists. RGEG operation is philosophically simple: researchers can influence the grade level of their positions by making quality contributions (accomplishments). When these contributions are reported, they may generate impact in terms of scientific excellence, solution of practical problems, and/or monetary savings. Impact in turn enhances the scientist’s professional stature and recognition within a scientific or technical field as evidenced by consultation, appointment to technical committees, invitations, honors, and awards. Clearly, then, application of the RGEG requires much more judgment than merely “counting papers.” In fact, basing a grade on numbers of publications, or upon some artificial rating scheme of the purported “value” of various journals, is clearly inappropriate and violates the intent of the RGEG (and therefore Federal position classification law). Publishing is one means of initiating the process which may generate impact,
