Abstract

The process of publishing scientific papers should be based on universal principles of professional conduct: credibility, truth and authenticity. In academia, the inclusion of policies on ethical standards in journal instructions to authors could prevent misconduct and fraud in scientific publication. Due to the lack of attention to research ethics in the Social Sciences, in particular in Spain and Latin America, this research aims to analyze the scientific misconduct policy of the Spanish and Latin American journals in the JCR-Social Sciences Edition (2014). To achieve our goal, 104 selected journal instructions to authors were examined in relation to the following ethical principles: (1) the rights of people involved in the research; (2) the welfare of animals used in research; (3) conflicts of interest; and (4) publication issues. Our results suggest that publication issues such as unpublished research and the ban on simultaneous submission are the most frequently cited ethical issues. In spite of the efforts made by policy-making bodies to establish misconduct guidelines, very few journals adhere to ICMJE and COPE recommendations. Given the ethical heterogeneity evinced by our study, and by previous studies, it seems that the development of a uniform code of ethics in the field of Social Sciences may be required.

Abstract

The new training context in higher education is moving toward a new model of massive, open and free education through a methodology based on video simulation and students’ collaborative work. Using a descriptive methodology, we analyze the formats and Web content presentation of 72 journals indexed in the Journal Citation Reports® (2013) in the field of communication, and their presence in the development of massive open online courses (MOOCs) at the leading global platform, «Coursera». The findings show that the vast majority of scientific journals in the field of communication offer few disclosure formats and are difficult to embed in new massive, ubiquitous and collaborative movements which use the selfcreated «audiovisual pill». Therefore, the integration of articles of international scientific journals in MOOCs is almost nonexistent. Journals are not taking advantage of the great potential of these courses for scientific divulgation, probably because its unique disclosure format is written text. Thus, we propose a new model for scientific publication which shares writing text format with the video article, social media outreach and new formats supported by mobile digital devices to foster greater international visibility of scientific development and social progress in an everyday, more interconnected and visual society.

Abstract

Against the background of the recently announced European Commission FP7 post-grant Gold open access pilot, this note addresses the increasingly relevant role that gold open access (OA) is playing in the scholarly communications landscape and argues that the “gold vs green” controversy is of little use for increasing worldwide OA implementation. The text highlights the role played by funding agencies in developing the OA landscape and analyses the role that libraries may play in supporting researchers for managing their article processing charges (APCs) at institutional level. Some challenges posed by the gradual expansion of gold OA are also examined, including the transition in business models that journals are undergoing.

Abstract

This short paper analyzes Wikipedia as an object of scientific research, contrasting various studies dealing with that popular encyclopedia. The conclusion is that Wikipedia, as a manifestation of collaborative production and consumption of knowledge, is a valid subject of scientific research.

Abstract

The system of scientific publication subjects the submitted manuscript to review, and it is common that many studies are rejected, for various reasons. Some researchers improve the study and achieve publication in another journal, while others abandon the effort and the work remains unpublished. The rejected papers that eventually achieve publication are cited more often than those accepted without changes, because the peer review process improves the quality.

Abstract

Based on the idea that the purpose of scientific publication is that knowledge reaches those who need it as quickly as possible and in the best way, the paper reviews the impact of the internet and new technologies in publication models, from self-archiving to open access. A comparison is also made with the developments occurring in the media. Finally, new trends and approaches in scientific publication are outlined that will lead to new scenarios, from which new models will be evaluated and redesigned in the future.