"Paper doctors." the problem of degrees without real impact

This chapter analyzes the issue of so-called "paper doctors", exploring their causes, consequences, and possible solutions. An academic reflection is established based on some relevant references, along with a critical analysis of the current situation in the academic field. The existence of doctors without real impact is associated with various causes, such as the pressure to publish in high-impact journals, the search for funding, and the lack of proper supervision. This phenomenon devalues the worth of the title, erodes confidence in academic research, and diverts resources from researchers with greater impact. Combating the issue of "paper doctors" requires a joint effort from the academic community, including the establishment of higher standards for doctoral research, the promotion of a culture of collaboration and mentorship, research that is less theoretical and more applied, linking with industry, and solving problems from the social relevance, and the evaluation of the quality of research based on the quantity of publications. Only in this way can it be ensured that the doctoral title remains a symbol of excellence and significant contribution to knowledge and the development of society.