Problem

Existing research on publications often overlooks the variety of career paths in political science.

Purpose & Methods

This article introduces an empirically validated typology of research careers for scholars starting at institutions known for academic rigor. The analysis reveals multiple pathways not captured by standard metrics.

Findings & Implications

While publication success correlates with specific paths, many alternative trajectories exist and may be equally valid or valuable within the discipline. These findings suggest that aggregate studies on productivity might miss important career dynamics.