Research integrity under publication requirements: a qualitative study of doctoral education in Kazakhstan

Abstract This qualitative study aims to examine academic integrity practices in Kazakhstan’s PhD programs following the recent introduction of a publication requirement. By exploring the experiences of doctoral students navigating this requirement and faculty supervising them, the study seeks to identify common academic integrity violations, the factors contributing to misconduct, and the challenges in ensuring ethical research and publication practices. By situating these findings within the unique context of Kazakhstan’s doctoral education, the study reconsiders conventional understandings of misconduct and offers policy recommendations to strengthen academic integrity in similar environments shaped by high-stakes publication requirements.