International visibility is a laudable goal of every scientific journal and those who submit articles to such journals. However, I have argued at
several local and international meetings that a journal’s (and its contributors’) goals should reflect a delicate balance of multi-dimensional
needs. An ambitiously prolific researcher needs to have his/her enormous outputs recognised
internationally and it feels good to be widely cited. This enhances career advancement and broadens networks.
Indeed publishing in journals with high impact factors does a lot to promote one's country as well as the image of psychiatry locally and internationally. Without doubt, among the most widely quoted medical researchers in Nigeria, some psychiatrists are in the forefront.
A reflection on the mission of the Nigerian Journal of Psychiatry established as an official organ of the Association of Psychiatrists should
demonstrate other goals. Our journal aims to serve as a training tool for mental health trainees in Nigeria including psychiatrists, clinical
psychologists, nurses, social workers and occupational therapists. It attempts to encourage training in research methodology and report
writing and as expected, it is an effective means by which authors disseminate their findings thereby, hopefully, influencing mental health policies in Nigeria. As a journal encompassing mental health and social sciences among others, it attempts to catch very wide audience in-spite of several constraints. It follows that authors submitting to journals such as ours are striving hard to attain a delicate balance of personal needs with group, patriotic and altruistic needs. There are several other advantages in publishing locally. (Okulate, 2006)
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