Scientific information across media, journals, databases and big data E-Book

Filippo Piccinini

• Herausgeber: Youcanprint
• Kategorie: Sachliteratur, Reportagen, Biografien
• Sprache: Englisch

Veröffentlichungsjahr: 2025

Beschreibung

The modern landscape of scientific information is shaped by rapid technological advancements, evolving publication models, and the growing importance of data-driven research. This book provides a comprehensive overview of the systems underpinning scientific publishing, offering valuable insights into key aspects such as peer review, publication metrics, open-access models, and preprints. It examines the roles of traditional journals, databases, and media in disseminating knowledge and highlights how big data and artificial intelligence, including generative AI tools, are transforming the accessibility and analysis of scientific information. Readers will explore practical topics, including how to navigate the publication process, understand the significance of metrics like the IF and H-index, and evaluate the implications of open-access publishing. The book also addresses challenges such as the rise of predatory journals and unethical publication practices, equipping readers with tools to make informed decisions and maintain research integrity. Readers will better understand the evolving dynamics of scholarly publishing and gain practical guidance for enhancing the visibility, impact, and ethical standing of their research in an interconnected world. It is a valuable resource for anyone looking to navigate the opportunities of today's scientific communication ecosystem.

Leseprobe

SCIENTIFIC INFORMATIONACROSS MEDIA, JOURNALS, DATABASES AND BIG DATA

By Filippo PiccininiAssociate ProfessorUniversity of Bologna, [email protected]@unibo.it

English LanguageI Edition (year 2025)Last update: 24/January/2025

Title | Scientific information across media, journals, databases and big data.

Author | Filippo Piccinini.

ISBN | 9791222790701

© 2025 - Filippo Piccinini

All rights reserved. This work is published directly by the Author through the Youcanprint self-publishing platform, and the Author holds all rights to it exclusively. Therefore, no part of this book may be reproduced without the prior consent of the Author, except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles or reviews. Please, note that this document can contain erroneous information and typos. Accordingly, this document and all the material/information contained in it are distributed without any warranty; without even the implied warranty of merchantability or fitness for a particular purpose.

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ABSTRACT

The modern landscape of scientific information is shaped by rapid technological advancements, evolving publication models, and the growing importance of data-driven research. This book provides a comprehensive overview of the systems underpinning scientific publishing, offering valuable insights into key aspects such as peer review, publication metrics, open-access models, and preprints. It examines the roles of traditional journals, databases, and media in disseminating knowledge and highlights how big data and artificial intelligence, including generative AI tools, are transforming the accessibility and analysis of scientific information.

Readers will explore practical topics, including how to navigate the publication process, understand the significance of metrics like the impact factor and H-index, and evaluate the implications of open-access publishing. The book also addresses challenges such as the rise of predatory journals and unethical publication practices, equipping readers with tools to make informed decisions and maintain research integrity.

Designed for researchers, educators, and policymakers, this resource sheds light on the critical interplay between traditional publishing methods and modern innovations like data sharing and collaborative platforms. It encourages reflection on how these changes impact global access to knowledge and the equity of scientific communication. It is also well-suited for use in university courses, providing students with the opportunity to engage in research activities, deepen their understanding of academic publishing, and contribute to the broader scientific community.

By engaging with this work, readers will better understand the evolving dynamics of scholarly publishing and gain practical guidance for enhancing the visibility, impact, and ethical standing of their research in an interconnected world. It is a valuable resource for anyone looking to navigate the opportunities and challenges of today’s scientific communication ecosystem.

01 – INTRODUCTION

The history of scientific publishing dramatically transformed in the 20th century as global research output grew and the dissemination of academic knowledge became both a critical need and a lucrative business. The history of scientific publishing is strongly connected with Robert Maxwell (1923, 1991) and to fully understand Maxwell’s role, it is important to consider the broader context of the publishing industry, particularly the rise of major players such as Springer-Verlag and Elsevier, which haped the industry alongside him.

Springer-Verlag, one of the oldest scientific publishers, was founded in 1842 in Berlin, Germany, by Julius Springer. Initially focused on books in fields such as mathematics and engineering, Springer expanded into journals in the early 20th century, becoming a leader in academic publishing. Its approach emphasized long-term relationships with authors and institutions, producing high-quality books and journals that became foundational to many scientific disciplines. By the mid-20th century, Springer had established itself as a global brand, known for its meticulous editorial standards.

Elsevier was founded in 1880 in the Netherlands as a small, family-owned publishing house. Its name and mission were inspired by the original Elsevier family, a group of 16th- and 17th-century printers who emphasized high-quality scholarly works. The modern Elsevier initially focused on academic books but shifted its attention to journals in the mid-20th century. This move, coupled with aggressive acquisitions and strategic expansion, allowed Elsevier to become one of the most dominant players in scientific, technical, and medical (STM) publishing. Its focus on high-impact journals and partnerships with leading researchers positioned it as a major competitor to Springer by the time Maxwell entered the scene.

The post-World War II era marked a turning point for scientific publishing. Governments and institutions around the world increased funding for research, leading to a surge in academic output. This created a demand for specialized journals to disseminate findings across a rapidly growing number of disciplines. Companies like Springer and Elsevier capitalized on this demand, transitioning from traditional book publishing to the more lucrative journal market. It was in this dynamic and expanding landscape that Robert Maxwell established Pergamon Press in 1948 in Oxford, England. While Springer and Elsevier had long-standing reputations rooted in traditional publishing, Maxwell brought a bold, commercial mindset that sought to exploit the burgeoning demand for academic journals. His vision and methods, innovative and controversial, helped shape the publishing industry into a multi-billion-dollar enterprise.

Robert Maxwell, born Ján Ludvík Hyman Binyamin Hoch in 1923 in Czechoslovakia, was one of the most influential yet controversial figures in the modern scientific publishing industry. His story intertwines ambition, innovation, controversy, and scandal, leaving a complex legacy in the dissemination of scientific knowledge.

Maxwell’s early life was marked by hardship. Born into a poor Jewish family, he lost most of his relatives in the Holocaust. He fled Nazi-occupied Czechoslovakia as a teenager, eventually joining the British Army during World War II, where he distinguished himself and later earned British citizenship. After the war, Maxwell began a career in publishing, recognizing the growing need for academic journals as global research and education expanded.

In 1948, Maxwell founded Pergamon Press, which would revolutionize STM publishing. Pergamon specialized in highly focused academic journals aimed at emerging fields of study. Maxwell’s strategy was to partner with leading scientists and academics to create niche journals that catered to the growing post-war research output.

His innovative business model included bundling journals into packages and selling subscriptions primarily to university libraries. These journals were priced at a premium, exploiting the reliance of academic institutions on access to cutting-edge research. While this model proved highly profitable, it laid the groundwork for the modern subscription-based system, which is still a source of debate in academia.

Maxwell’s success with Pergamon Press brought him into competition with Springer-Verlag, one of the most established scientific publishers at the time. While Springer adopted a more traditional approach to academic publishing, Maxwell’s style was aggressive and expansionist. He sought to challenge Springer by focusing on English-language journals and expanding Pergamon’s catalogue at a rapid pace. Maxwell occasionally explored opportunities for collaboration with Springer, but his reputation for aggressive and sometimes ruthless business practices made such partnerships difficult.

Maxwell did not limit himself to scientific publishing. Over the years, he diversified into newspapers and other media, acquiring the UK’s Daily Mirror and building a global media empire. However, his empire was heavily leveraged, relying on complex financial arrangements that began to unravel in the late 1980s.

By 1991, facing mounting debts, Maxwell was forced to sell Pergamon Press to Elsevier, one of Springer’s primary competitors. This marked the end of Maxwell’s direct involvement in scientific publishing, though his impact on the industry remained significant.

On November 5, 1991, Maxwell was found dead in the Atlantic Ocean after falling from his yacht, the Lady Ghislaine, near the Canary Islands. The circumstances of his death remain shrouded in mystery. While some theories suggest it was an accident, others speculate that he may have taken his own life due to the immense financial and legal pressures he was under.

Following his death, investigators uncovered massive financial improprieties. Maxwell had misappropriated hundreds of millions of pounds from employee pension funds to cover debts across his failing businesses. The ensuing scandal destroyed his reputation and led to the collapse of his media empire.

Despite his controversial business practices, Maxwell’s influence on scientific publishing is undeniable. His innovations at Pergamon Press, such as the focus on niche academic journals and the subscription-based pricing model, shaped the STM publishing industry. However, these same practices also contributed to the "serials crisis," where escalating journal costs outpaced library budgets, creating barriers to access for researchers and institutions worldwide.

Maxwell’s relationship with Springer and his rivalry with other publishers like Elsevier underscored the increasingly competitive and commercial nature of academic publishing during his era. While his entrepreneurial vision expanded access to specialized knowledge, his focus on profit raised enduring ethical questions about the balance between commercial interests and the public good in scientific dissemination.

02 – SCIENTIFIC PUBLISHING NUMBERS

Scientific publishing is a multi-billion-dollar industry that plays a pivotal role in disseminating knowledge worldwide. However, it is also an industry often criticized for its financial practices, with high subscription costs and profit margins drawing scrutiny from researchers, institutions, and policymakers. Below are some key numbers and trends that define the business of scientific publishing:

The scientific, technical, and medical (STM) publishing market generates approximately $25 billion annually, with academic journals accounting for the majority of this revenue, followed by books, databases, and other digital resources. There are over 33000 active peer-reviewed journals globally, collectively publishing more than 3 million articles annually. This number continues to grow by about 3-5% per year to accommodate expanding academic output. Over the past 10 years, more than 30 million research articles have been published globally, reflecting the rapid increase in research productivity across all scientific fields. This growth has been fuelled by advancements in technology, global collaborations, and the rise of open-access publishing.

Academic institutions often spend millions on journal subscriptions. For example, large universities may pay up to $10 million annually for bundled journal access from major publishers. For researchers or individuals without institutional access, purchasing a single article can cost between $20 and $50, contributing to the barriers in accessing scientific knowledge. To make articles freely accessible under the open-access model, authors are often required to pay Article Processing Charges (APCs), which range from $1,000 to $5,000 per article, depending on the publisher and journal impact factor.