Sunday, October 12, 2003
The opensourcing of scientific research?
Reuters and Nature are reporting the creation of a new science journal -- PLOS Biology -- that directly challenges established majors like Science and Nature. Backed by folks like Dr Harold Varmus and Dr Stephen Cohen, the USP of the new journal is that it will be available online for free.
The scientific journals that now control the world of scholarly publishing can cost tens of thousands of dollars a year. They usually require a lengthy "peer review" process in which experts raise questions about studies and suggest changes to written reports. Researchers complain the process takes too long and most journals require them to keep quiet about their research while it is in press.
The scientists behind the journal, called PLoS Biology, are challenging standard publishing practice, in which researchers pay to read others' results in journals. They argue that this is unfair - to scientists who submit their work freely and to the public whose taxes subsidize the research.
Though I can't comment on its sustainability, I think this is a good thing to happen to scientific publishing. I hope this trend will catch on in other disciplines too.
The scientific journals that now control the world of scholarly publishing can cost tens of thousands of dollars a year. They usually require a lengthy "peer review" process in which experts raise questions about studies and suggest changes to written reports. Researchers complain the process takes too long and most journals require them to keep quiet about their research while it is in press.
The scientists behind the journal, called PLoS Biology, are challenging standard publishing practice, in which researchers pay to read others' results in journals. They argue that this is unfair - to scientists who submit their work freely and to the public whose taxes subsidize the research.
Though I can't comment on its sustainability, I think this is a good thing to happen to scientific publishing. I hope this trend will catch on in other disciplines too.
