Is Truth in Authority or Authority in truth? Limitations to the Publication of Scientific Research

This paper examines the limitations and potential bias that exist within efforts to publish articles in exercise physiology. By discussing perceptions that: (a) greater truth appears to exist based on the publishing authority or journal title, (b) that some organizations appear reluctant to change or progress their philosophies and thus recommendations, (c) that there is a large potential for bias in the peer review process, (d) that many research articles may end up in “the file drawer” unpublished because of their apparently insignificant findings, as well as (e) the importance of the impact factor, and (f) open access journals, we hope to enlighten young authors and remind experienced peers that science should be nothing more than an attachment to the truth. We believe the unbiased processes considered are invaluable in the scientific publication process, but that both perceptions and evidence presented herein support that the limitations exist and need consideration