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In three studies, four versions of four abstracts were rated. Layout of the text, along with subheadings, contributed to a higher rating of effectiveness for structured abstracts, suggesting that the spatial organization and the greater amount of information present are the main reasons why structured abstracts are generally judged to be superior to traditional ones. Jeandron M. Journal to support astronomy outreach. Physics World 2007;20(12):9. The International Astronomical Union launched a new open-access, peer-reviewed journal designed to support the burgeoning field of astronomy communication. Communicating Astronomy with the Public contains research papers written by experienced astronomy communicators as well as news, reviews, and opinion articles - for example, articles about how to discuss astronomy using podcasts and the YouTube website. Among the journal’s objectives are ensuring that outreach effort is not duplicated and establishing priorities for the field. Johnson RK, Luther J. The e-only tipping point for journals: what’s ahead in the print-to-electronic transition zone. Washington DC: Association of Research Libraries, December 2007. (www.arl.org/bm~doc/Electronic_Transition.pdf) Examines the issues associated with the migration from dual-format publishing to electronic-only publication of journals and gives librarians’ and publishers’ perspectives on the current state of format migration, considering the drivers toward electronic-only publishing and barriers that are slowing change. It also assesses possible further changes and recommends strategic areas of focus. Roth DL, Bronsdon R, Phipps TE, Jr, Dylla HF. Open-access publishing at what cost? Physics Today 2008;61(2):8–9. Letters commenting on a paper by Paul Guinnessy (Stakeholders weigh costs of open-access publishing. Physics Today 2007;60(8)29–30). Roth discusses the impact of page charges on the economics of open-access publication and expresses concern about possible loss of quality that may accompany widespread open access. Open access is driven primarily by the needs of the medical community and its patients; shouldn’t it be refined there first, before we attempt to impose it on all of science and technology? Bronsdon thinks the underlying problem concerns organizations that intend to profit from publishing scientific research. Phipps points out that people not directly involved or institutionally affiliated are discriminated against by page charges for downloading from archives such as the preprint arXiv at Cornell University. Dylla, executive director of AJP, replies to explain the economic reasoning behind their charging system. Smart P. Journals – the wrong model for Africa? Learned Publishing 2007;20:311–313. (doi: 10.1087/095315107X225415) Most journals published in Africa do a disservice to the research they contain, and the best local research appears in titles published outside the region. A support network is needed to appraise and develop research; communication skills and appropriate means of dissemination need to be developed from within the region. Van Orsdel LC, Born K. Periodical price survey 2007: serial wars. Library Journal 15 April 2007. (www.libraryjournal.com/article/CA6431958.html) As the open access movement stands alone as an alternative to the existing system of journal publication (which most say is unsustainable in its present form), publishers of scientific, technical, and medical journals vigorously defend the adequacy of the current system, while fearing cancellation of subscriptions by librarians. Questions such as journal pricing, open access policies, and the practice of self-archiving and its effects on subscription cancellations, even though they are still unclear and under examination, are important. © Copyright 2008 by European Association of Science Editors Top of Page |
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