Research and Markets: The Brave New World of Scientific Publishing

DUBLIN, Ireland--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Research and Markets (http://www.researchandmarkets.com/research/0b3e4d/the_brave_new_worl) has announced the addition of the "The Brave New World of Scientific Publishing" report to their offering.

“The Brave New World of Scientific Publishing”

The Brave New World of Science Publishing is the most comprehensive study of scientists' use of social media ever undertaken. This report is designed to help publishers understand what scientists expect—and prefer—as Web 2.0 capabilities become the new industry standard. Scientists and publishers rely on each other to establish the priority of discoveries, to validate the scientific process by peer review, to disseminate findings and to establish the scientific record. However, social media threatens current business practices, and publishers that do not respond to these challenges, or respond by further entrenchment of traditional positions, could find themselves becoming increasingly unnecessary and irrelevant.

In the decade since the report has been published its first study on how life scientists use electronic journals; the scientific publishing industry has weathered many storms. It has had to adapt rapidly to disruptive technologies, such as the emergence of the Web as a rival medium, as well as grapple with a changing business model resulting from societal and economic forces. Some scientists, especially pioneers of the Open Access moment, have prophesied the end of traditional publishing as we know it.

Now come "Web 2.0" and "social media"—two related phenomena that again present publishers with perils but also unparalleled opportunities, at least for those willing to accept new challenges. Scientists have always closely identified themselves with communities representing specific, often quite narrowly focused, disciplines and areas of research. This desire to connect with like-minded scientists is amplified by social media, open access and online data sharing. The Brave New World of Science Publishing shows that publishers are in an enviable position to leverage their existing reputations to take advantage of social media—provided that they resist the temptation to view it as the same type of threat the Web was perceived to be in the mid- to late 1990's. Publishers have the opportunity to use this latest form of communication to reinforce the mandate to communicate and collaborate that drives scientific research. In addition this report will also be indispensable to life science suppliers and advertisers seeking to bond with customers via social media.

Hyperlinked citations, Letters to the Editor and editorial comment are valued elements of scientific publications. However, social media affords publishers the ability to go far beyond these basic functions and enhance value to readers by delivering a richer and more meaningful experience. To survive, publishers must re-evaluate the roles they have traditionally played in scientific communication and more than 1,500 scientists surveyed for this report share their opinions on how social media can provide new tools to further the advancement of science.

From their growing use of discussion boards, blogs, wikis, video and podcasts, scientists are learning how to employ Web 2.0 and social media tools to good effect. The Brave New World of Science Publishing will help publishers keep pace with the expectations of their readers while reinforcing their positions of respect and authority.

Traditional Publishing Remains Important:

Comparison of Online Journal Readership
Trustworthiness of Non-Peer Reviewed Articles
Authors' Rights to Publish
Web 2.0 Features for Non-Peer Reviewed Articles
Most Important Types of Online Journal Content
Reactions to Open Access
Relationship Between Experience & Deciding Where to Publish Are Traditional Publishers the Guardians of Scientific Knowledge?
Implications & Conclusions

Methodology and Questionnaire: