Programmatic research and the case for designing and publishing from rich, multifaceted datasets: Issues and recommendations

• Published in: Journal of business research 2019-08, Vol.101, p.40-46
• Main Authors: Covin, Jeffrey G., McMullen, Jeffery S.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Multifaceted datasets; Multiple publications; Programmatic research; Publication guidelines
• ISSN: 0148-2963; 1873-7978
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jbusres.2019.04.012

Researchers are confronted with uncertain expectations and demands regarding their potential reliance on rich, multifaceted datasets. In particular, generating multiple papers from such datasets requires careful navigation of the publication process, as this practice is concurrently incentivized and fraught with potentially unanticipated risks. The current essay outlines several issues facing researchers seeking to generate multiple publications from common datasets, with emphasis on identifying the challenges associated with and the concurrent need for relying on such datasets when conducting programmatic research. Expectations and guidelines for editors, reviewers, and authors are offered. •Valuable research is being discouraged by uncertain and/or misguided publication norms.•Rich, multifaceted datasets enable scholars to link knowledge domains.•The use of common variables in separate papers can facilitate knowledge expansion.•Publishing too many papers from a common dataset is not a valid criticism.•Full disclosure to editors of prior publications from a common dataset is essential.