ABSTRACT
The scientific publication landscape is changing quickly, with an enormous increase in options and models. Articles can be published in a complex variety of journals that differ in their presentation format (online-only or in-print), editorial organizations that maintain them (commercial and/or society-based), editorial handling (academic or professional editors), editorial board composition (academic or professional), payment options to cover editorial costs (open access or pay-to-read), indexation, visibility, branding, and other aspects. Additionally, online submissions of non-revised versions of manuscripts prior to seeking publication in a peer-reviewed journal (a practice known as pre-printing) are a growing trend in biological sciences. In this changing landscape, researchers in biochemistry and molecular biology must re-think their priorities in terms of scientific output dissemination. The evaluation processes and institutional funding for scientific publications should also be revised accordingly. This article presents the results of discussions within the Department of Biochemistry, University of São Paulo, on this subject.
Subject(s)
Humans , Periodicals as Topic/statistics & numerical data , Publishing/trends , Research , Biochemistry , Molecular Biology , Periodicals as Topic/standards , Periodicals as Topic/trends , BrazilABSTRACT
Discutem-se alguns problemas que atualmente afetam a qualidade do conteúdo das revistas científicas e ressalta-se o papel dos editores como responsáveis pela definição tanto da direção (o que se fará) como da profundidade (até que ponto se avançará) das pesquisas. Propõe-se que a relação ótima entre ambas se alcança a partir de um equilíbrio entre as três logias: terminologia, epistemologia e metodologia. Sob esta fundamentação, apresenta-se uma taxonomia para avaliação e análise de projetos de pesquisa, artigos e pareceres científicos. Conclui-se com propostas de ação específicas para todos os atores envolvidos na geração e difusão do conhecimento (autores, revisores, agências de fomento, instituições que publicam revistas e editores científicos), orientadas a melhorar a qualidade do conteúdo das publicações.
El artículo discute algunos de los problemas que actualmente afectan a la calidad del contenido de las revistas científicas y se resalta el rol de los editores como los responsables de definir tanto la dirección (lo qué se hará) como la profundidad (cuánto se llevará a cabo) de la investigación en una determinada área. Se propone que la relación óptima entre dirección y profundidad se logra a partir de un equilibrio entre las tres logías: la terminología, la epistemología y la metodología. Partiendo de esta premisa, el artículo presenta una taxonomía para el análisis de proyectos de investigación, artículos y dictámenes científicos. Se concluye con propuestas de acción específicas dirigidas a todos los actores involucrados en la generación y difusión del conocimiento (autores, dictaminadores, organismos de financiación, instituciones que publican revistas y editores científicos), orientadas a mejorar la calidad del contenido de las publicaciones.
The article discusses some of the problems that currently affect the quality of content of journals and highlights the role of editors as those responsible for defining both the direction (what will be done) and depth (how far it will go) of research in a certain area. The optimal relationship between direction and depth is proposed to be achieved through a balance among the three logies: terminology, epistemology and methodology. Based on this premise, the article presents a taxonomy for the analysis of research projects, scientific papers and referee reports, and suggests specific actions aimed at improving the content quality of journals, targeted at all those involved in the generation and dissemination of knowledge (authors, reviewers, funding agencies, publishers, and, last but not least, scientific editors).