Market research and data services provider Research and Markets, Ireland, has announced the addition of the 'The Brave New World of Scientific Publishing' report to their offering. The report is based on responses to a 37-question online survey conducted by BioInformatics, LLC. More than 1,500 scientists participated in this survey between May 27 and May 30, 2008.
The report, a study of scientists' use of social media, 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. According to the report, publishers who do not respond to these challenges, or respond by further entrenchment of traditional positions, could find themselves becoming increasingly unnecessary and irrelevant.
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 report 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. In addition, this report is projected as an indispensable resource for life science suppliers and advertisers seeking to bond with customers via social media.
The report noted that while hyperlinked citations, letters to the Editor and editorial comment are valued elements of scientific publications, 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. It further states that to survive, publishers must re-evaluate the roles they have traditionally played in scientific communication. The 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 report seeks to help publishers keep pace with the expectations of their readers while reinforcing their positions of respect and authority.
