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RSNZ Publishing - a case for the national research journalsIssueThe Royal Society has been asked to present a case to government in consideration of the seven learned journals currently published by the Society. In essence, the Ministry of Research, Science and Technology has asked for our views on three questions:
MoRST has asked the Society for a reply on these questions, and we present a draft case below, which will be submitted in October, in time for consideration for funding from July 2003. BackgroundThe Society was asked to take on a publishing role from DSIR in 1991, with partial assistance from government subsidy, which has remained unchanged since that time. Since 1991, inflation has risen by over 30%. Meanwhile, journal prices have continued to be squeezed over the decade, as they were hit by libraries' and other subscribers' ability to pay. As a result, the Society has gradually reduced its publishing resources while at the same time has instigated changes to enhance the overall performance of the journals. The New Zealand science journals specialize in results from regional research. Their specialist content is the very reason for the journals' existence. The Society is committed to continue providing high-quality, well-cited, national science journals with good and established international reputations. After several years of suspension, new Editorial Boards have been established to assist in the process of formulating strategies for the successful future of each journal. With their help, and with the support of the New Zealand science community on whose behalf the journals are published, the Society is confident that the journals will remain as leading flagships for the dissemination of the results of New Zealand's scientific endeavours. A CASE FOR NEW ZEALAND'S NATIONAL SCIENCE JOURNALS1. DOES NEW ZEALAND NEED TO PUBLISH NATIONAL RESEARCH JOURNALS?Countries of the world need to make their expertise and capabilities in scientific research and development visible in the international arena. National journals play an integral role in this. For New Zealand science to be seen as credible by world standards it must continue to publish national research journals in the areas in which it has strengths and capability. There is no substitute for New Zealand's own journals for publishing the results of New Zealand's research. Our national research journals are part of the global journal infrastructure of scientific publishing and ensure our presence in the international science scene. New Zealand's national journals need to be at the forefront of international science publishing to enhance New Zealand’s scientific reputation in the world. "New Zealand's national science journals make our research more credible, raise the profile of New Zealand and New Zealanders, and assist to create economic opportunities." (Government researcher, New Zealand). "If New Zealand intends to be a player in international science it has an obligation to contribute to the production of journals to make the information available. Publication is an integral part of the scientific process. If we don't provide publication outlets then we have a decidedly third world attitude." (Journal Editorial Advisory Board member, New Zealand) "New Zealand based journals are part of the New Zealand science infrastructure. The reason for their existence is the same as it has always been and nothing has changed externally to give any reason to drop them". (Journal Editorial Advisory Board member, New Zealand) In 1991, after wide consultation with the scientific community, officials from the former DSIR and MoRST found that publication of New Zealand journals was justified on the following grounds:
As a result of these findings, Cabinet noted that: "… journal publication is an important part of the science infrastructure which provides for communicating scientific results within the scientific community, maintaining scientific knowledge and quality, and is an integral part of the continuum of science." New Zealand's national research journals continue to have an integral role by assessing, documenting, disseminating, and promoting the results of New Zealand's scientific research, in printed and electronic form, to the benefit of others and to complete the investment made in the research. In doing so, they promote New Zealand’s scientific research to the New Zealand and international community by:
Therefore, national journals forge international links that connect New Zealand to the best of international research as well as promote New Zealand's research capacity to the international scientific community. "If we are to foster the "knowledge" economy then we must certainly have New Zealand-based science journals." (Journal Editorial Advisory Board member, New Zealand) Our national journals are primarily devoted to New Zealand’s national science research effort and encompass regional (e.g., Southern Hemisphere, South Pacific, Australasia, Antarctica) and indigenous research as well as publish knowledge and technologies of worldwide relevance and significance. They are considered to be "essential" and "fill a valuable niche" as they are indispensable for the publication of local science which may not be seen to be relevant to international journals that target their own regional audience or a broad readership. "High quality New Zealand journals are an important way of bringing New Zealand science to a wider audience. This is true both of new high-profile articles, but also of those that provide the important basic science that may be the foundation of new international research initiatives." (Journal Advisory Board member, United Kingdom) National research journals offer a means of publication for New Zealand researchers in a readily identified product. New Zealand researchers consider that national journals are important for their relevance to New Zealand or regional work. Many researchers are required by their FRST contracts to publish the research where it will be available to the end-users, and the national journals fulfil this function. The national journals are also the storehouse of knowledge specific to New Zealand. International readers also appreciate access to detailed results published in a local journal that would not be of interest to other journals. In addition, national journals present New Zealand perspectives on international research issues. "The New Zealand-based journals are ideal for publishing data of relevance primarily to the New Zealand situation … The journal series are an extremely valuable record of such work, containing refereed reliable data." (President, New Zealand scientific society) "…scientists use this journal [New Zealand Journal of Marine and Freshwater Research] as an output for their FRST work so it's kept in the New Zealand domain." (New Zealand researcher). "I strongly support the existence of regional (but with worldwide distribution as NZJMFR) journals of this type." (European researcher) If New Zealand did not have its own regional journals, this research they contain would most likely be lost or at least inaccessible to others. Such research results would therefore be ineffectual and represent wasted resources. Most of New Zealand's research is publicly funded and the public has the right to require that the results be adequately published and freely available. After all, it is the people of New Zealand, now and in the future, that will ultimately benefit. "Of course we need New Zealand-based science journals otherwise there will be no focus for refereed scientifically credible work that applies to the unique conditions pertaining to this country. New Zealand science needs its own identity and not be thought of as a subset of Australian science or a meagre contribution tacked on to European or American science vehicles." (Journal Advisory Board member, New Zealand) "New Zealand needs a high quality publication venue for research for the New Zealand audience. This is the only way we can guarantee publication of New Zealand-funded research. And this is the most cost efficient way to transfer this information to those who can influence and effect change." (President, New Zealand scientific society) No other journals can provide the promotion and prestige of New Zealand research to the world than New Zealand's own national research journals. Our national research journals are flagships for New Zealand science internationally. 2. WHAT JOURNALS DOES NEW ZEALAND NEED?WHAT IS OUR COMPETITIVE ADVANTAGE IN THE INTERNATIONAL MARKET?2.1 What journals does New Zealand need?Science that is uniquely relevant to New Zealand needs New Zealand journals. The biological, aquatic, earth, primary production, and social sciences are of greatest relevance to New Zealand and are where New Zealand’s main research efforts are focused. Concentration of New Zealand science in New Zealand journals allows easy access to the knowledge for people all over the world, and illustrates to the rest of the world the nature and quality of New Zealand science, New Zealand scientists, and the biota and land themselves. Each of the New Zealand national science journals is a unique entity. Each specialises in a particular academic discipline (subject area) and a specific geographic region; thus, each serves a specific section of the science community. Each is a national asset as a storehouse of the collective knowledge that has been generated mainly in and about New Zealand. Various Editorial Advisory Board members have noted: "There is a New Zealand-based science effort that studies things of primary interest and use in the New Zealand context, and it is essential that this continues to be done here. We do not want our literature totally at the whim of international trends and editors." "Science that deals with wider and more universal subjects (e.g., chemistry, physics, mathematics) is by its nature international. The unique aspects of New Zealand (its biology, for example) are of prime local relevance." "We need a range of journals covering the geological, marine, and biological sciences. One could argue the need for a broad environmental journal as well." "We certainly need a primary production research journal … cover all research into the farming of plants and animals." 2.1.1 Natural sciencesNew Zealand has a unique biota that inhabits a unique landmass, both of which are still being explored, documented, and investigated. Within New Zealand, research on New Zealand natural history and the natural environment informs teachers and students at all levels, other scientists, local government, users of the natural environment, national and local natural heritage conservation, tourism, and a wide range of industries. The primary overseas audiences are teachers, students, and scientists. "We [Natural History New Zealand] recognise the critical importance of academic research in unravelling the stories of our planet which organisations like ours can then build into documentary and non-fiction works for a wide audience." New Zealand currently has four national science journals which specialise in aspects of the natural environment and biota: New Zealand Journal of Botany (first published 1963) specialises in all aspects of botany, plus mycology (fungi) and phycology (algae), of the South Pacific, Australia, South America, southern Africa, and Antarctica. The geographic specialisation reflects the ancient connections of the New Zealand flora with those of former parts of the supercontinent of Gondwana. For the last 40 years, nearly all of the New Zealand plants (and many fungi and algae) which have been described and named as new to science have been published in New Zealand Journal of Botany. The Department of Conservation requires a rare plant to have been formally described and named before any conservation work on it is undertaken. New Zealand Journal of Botany is internationally recognised as the primary site of publication of new plants from New Zealand, by botanists worldwide and by the International Association of Plant Taxonomists which governs the global rules of naming new plants. "The New Zealand flora is self-contained; in the New Zealand Journal of Botany we have the compendium of information that goes with it." "Other countries expect that New Zealand’s new species are published in a New Zealand journal in the same way as their new species get published in their journals." "New Zealand Journal of Botany provides a high quality venue for the publication of research of New Zealand’s unique flora." New Zealand Journal of Zoology (first published 1974) specialises in all fields of zoological science concerning New Zealand, the Pacific Basin, and Antarctica. Particular strengths are insect taxonomy and pest control, reflecting the diversity of the native fauna and the effects of introduced animals on the native biota. "Descriptive work on New Zealand flora, fauna, and ecology is unlikely to be published internationally but is immensely important to New Zealand’s knowledge of its own biological estate and native biodiversity." "If I published a description of a New Zealand skink in e.g. the Dutch Journal of Herpetology, that might be considered an international publication but it certainly would not be a service to the advancement of science in New Zealand—rather the opposite." (Journal Editorial Advisory Board member, New Zealand) New Zealand Journal of Marine and Freshwater Research (first published 1967) publishes research in all fields of fisheries and aquatic science relevant to Australasia, the Pacific Ocean, and Antarctica for researchers and resource managers in research institutions, universities, museums, regional authorities, and other centres. The scope includes genetics, limnology, marine ecology, physical oceanography, physiology, sedimentology, stream ecology, taxonomy, and water quality studies. "New Zealand Journal of Marine and Freshwater Research provides scientists with a high quality journal of international standard in which to present their research to both their national and international peers." "An international journal with high ranking publishing and a great representation of different aspects of aquatic research." New Zealand Journal of Geology and Geophysics (first published 1958) specialises in all aspects of the Earth sciences relevant to New Zealand, the Pacific Rim, and Antarctica. Its role is to make Earth science research and processes in the New Zealand region accessible and applicable to geoscientists everywhere whose interests lie within and beyond the circumpacific area. "I frequently turn to the New Zealand Journal of Geology and Geophysics to continue my ongoing education in continental evolution." (International geoscientist) Knowledge published here also has practical relevance to natural hazard preparedness and to commercial prospecting and mineral extraction. "Some of your geology is hazardous, and so New Zealand benefits societally from international collaborative research, and the international community also benefits from, for example, a better understanding of your active volcanoes." (International Editorial Advisory Board member) These four journals plus the Journal of the Royal Society of New Zealand are the successors to the publication that was New Zealand’s only national science journal from 1869 (Transactions and Proceedings of the New Zealand Institute, 1869–1933; Transactions and Proceedings of the Royal Society of New Zealand, 1933–58; Transactions of the Royal Society of New Zealand, 1958–71). Journal of the Royal Society of New Zealand has been published since 1971. It is a natural history journal of New Zealand and the Pacific region, including Antarctica, with particular strengths in palaeobiology (fossils) and palaeoecology (ancient environments), animal taxonomy, and interdisciplinary topics. This journal complements and supports the above four national journals, particularly so since all have been published by the Royal Society of New Zealand. Extra-long animal taxonomy papers, interdisciplinary papers that go beyond the scope of a single-discipline journal, and (on occasion) an over-supply of papers to one or more of the above four journals are all published in Journal of the Royal Society of New Zealand. 2.1.2 Primary productionNew Zealand’s national income is largely land-based, from the production of food and fibre, tourism, and mineral extraction and processing. New Zealand has two national primary production journals concerning food and fibre production and the related natural environments. The science and technology in these journals informs teachers and students at all levels, practitioners (farmers and horticulturalists) and their advisors, local government, and relevant industries. New Zealand Journal of Agricultural Research (first published 1958) specialises in all aspects of temperate and subtropical pastoral agriculture; that is, animals that are farmed for food and/or fibre, production and quality of the food they eat, their health and welfare, the environment in which they live, and product quality. Of increasing concern and research effort is the effect of such farming on the natural environment (methane emission, contamination of waterways). "It is imperative that we have a national agricultural journal helping to underpin knowledge and technological developments in this sector." "Most developed countries publish their own agricultural research journals." New Zealand Journal of Crop and Horticultural Science (first published 1989, continuing New Zealand Journal of Experimental Agriculture (1973–88)) publishes research on temperate plant biosciences covering all aspects of production, protection, handling, and processing of crop and horticultural products. It is published for researchers in research institutes, universities, other centres, and industry. The scope includes agronomy, entomology, breeding, plant pathology, pomology, postharvest physiology, and biotechnology. Various users of the journal have said: "New Zealand Journal of Crop and Horticultural Science is a high quality journal which plays an important role in presenting crop and horticultural research, from both New Zealand and the wider Pacific region, to the international research community." "…fulfils a critical role within the primary industry-based research community in New Zealand. The quality of the current papers is high and of broad interest." "…is a quality publication that is widely read by horticultural crop researchers worldwide." The applied science that is published in both of these journals is informed and supported by the five natural sciences journals published by Royal Society of New Zealand. 2.1.3 The need for other journalsThere is no national Soil Science journal in New Zealand. Much of the primary information about New Zealand soils is contained in DSIR Soil Bureau Bulletins. New Zealand soil science that is particularly relevant to agriculture or horticulture may be published in New Zealand Journal of Agricultural Research, New Zealand Journal of Crop and Horticultural Science, or Journal of the Royal Society of New Zealand. Other New Zealand soil science is published mainly in Australian Journal of Soil Research and occasionally in New Zealand Journal of Geology and Geophysics. There is an acknowledged need for a new national journal of social science in New Zealand. At present much social science research done in New Zealand is reported in unpublished contract reports to government agencies or is partially presented in chapters of books or in conference proceedings. A national journal would improve the accessibility and preservation of New Zealand social science knowledge for users in New Zealand and overseas. "It is envisaged that such a journal would include both New Zealand and international material, but have a focus on the New Zealand context. It would give priority to publication of articles that reported on the work of interdisciplinary research teams." (Royal Society of New Zealand Social Science Committee) 2.2 What is our competitive advantage in the international market?The New Zealand national science journals exist to make available, to New Zealand end users and to the world at large, past and current knowledge that is generated mainly in New Zealand by mainly New Zealand scientists who are funded mainly in New Zealand. Use of the word “competitive” is irrelevant in this context. The international advantage of publishing New Zealand science journals is that anyone anywhere in the world who wants to know about New Zealand natural or primary production sciences and New Zealand’s scientists has a clearly labelled, recognisable source to consult. New Zealand has been, still is, and will continue to be a recognised world leader in many areas of scientific research. Examples include: the breeding and growth of pasture grasses and clovers; plant breeding and production of kiwifruit; research on earthquakes, volcanoes, and geological and aquatic hazards; the systematics, taxonomy, and conservation of our entire native biota, terrestrial and aquatic; management and control of introduced plant and animal pest species; the geological history of our natural environment and biota; environmental management. "Scientific research should be published for its own sake and value." "Only out of a sound body of national research will work of international significance emerge." "All of the New Zealand science journals publish scientifically sound articles that contribute to knowledge and understanding internationally." "It’s a strange form of lack of confidence when all research has to be ranked on an international scale. North Americans and Europeans have a number of very high quality regional journals that are very specifically and confidently regional; their quality and repute is never questioned simply on the basis that they are regional in focus." Additional international advantages held by the New Zealand national journals are the engagement of permanent, salaried editors, and the use of non-New Zealand referees. Having papers reviewed by experts outside of New Zealand has a double benefit: as well as endeavouring to provide the best possible expert quality control of the science being published, it is a means of increasing global awareness of New Zealand science. "We have a rigorous system for evaluating papers submitted for consideration for publication." Many journals produced overseas use volunteer editors who have full-time academic or research positions but, sometimes for a small honorarium, manage a journal for three or five years before the position is handed on to someone else. Some journals appoint editors on contracts of a few years. The permanent salaried editors employed by the Royal Society of New Zealand are committed to the journals they work for and the communities they serve. This personal engagement of an editor in the life, value, and quality of the journal is coupled with the independent status of being a non-practising scientist working in a non-research organisation. Thus, the New Zealand national science journals, and the communities they serve, are assured of long-term commitment and integrity of the editors. "Editorial control/refereeing seems good and has the feel of publishing information that one can trust". (researcher, United Kingdom) "The refereeing of submitted papers by New Zealand and international experts is rigorous and meticulous." "…an excellent refereeing system and a very good scientific editor." The editors of the national journals can only further the interests and development of the journals if most New Zealand science can continue to be published in the journals. This requires commitment and support from central government. New Zealand scientists must not be prevented from publishing in New Zealand’s national journals. Research that has been publicly funded must be published in New Zealand at public cost and thus be available to New Zealand end users as required by the public funding system. If central government will not financially support the national journals to provide adequate staffing and ongoing development, and publication at no cost to authors, New Zealand research will be published offshore or not at all. New Zealand’s knowledge heritage would then become lost to New Zealand, lose its identity, and be largely unnoticed in the global mass of information. 3. WHAT SORT OF QUALITY, IN TERMS OF SCIENTIFIC IMPACT, WILL THE JOURNALS HAVE?3.1 How do you measure the scientific worth of a New Zealand journal?Some accepted criteria for measuring scientific quality and impact of research journals are:
3.1.1 Reputation of the journals – publication historyAll national journals published by the Royal Society have established reputations, both nationally and internationally, built upon the quality of the research that they publish and the integrity of the papers themselves. Of the current suite of journals, Agricultural Research and Geology and Geophysics have been published for 45 years, Botany for 40 years, Marine and Freshwater Research for 36 years, Crop and Horticultural Science (including its predecessor) for 30 years, and Zoology for 29 years. From the most recent review of the journals (1995/96) designed to assess potential for rationalisation of the titles published, the consensus opinion (82%) was of continuing support for the current suite of journals. The continuity of these titles was, and is, considered important. "It is important to have a hierarchy of publications available to researchers, and these 7 journals fill the top echelon…" (President, New Zealand scientific society) 3.1.2 Journal profile — catering to the needs of the science communityThere is strong support from the science community in New Zealand and overseas for the continuation of New Zealand science journals in which to publish mainly regional science. A 2000 opinion survey carried out by the editors at the Royal Society (96 respondents) indicated that the New Zealand journals were the preferred choice for scientists publishing New Zealand research. This reinforced the opinions arising from the 1995/96 review. The quality of the journals was considered to be as good as, or better than, many larger "prestigious" international journals. Having "New Zealand" in the title identifies both the strength and purpose of the journal and its relevance to the whole science community. "Only out of a sound body of national research will work of international significance emerge that can then legitimately be published in international journals." "New Zealand needs a high quality publication venue for research for the New Zealand audience. This is the only way we can guarantee publication of New Zealand funded research. And this is the most cost efficient way to transfer this information to those who can influence and effect change." (President, New Zealand scientific society) The journals are distributed worldwide. They help in MoRST's stated goal to "...promote New Zealand's research capacity abroad". As one international geoscientist observed: "Your journal [NZJGG] is one of the most important in terms of my work because, under one cover, it gathers a wide range of Earth science subjects vital to a better, more thoroughly integrated understanding of how continents evolve." And another: "We have senior faculty at our university [University of California] who use the geology of the country for funded research on problems of broad issue. Yet this is only possible because of earlier work often published locally in New Zealand." 3.1.3 Quality of papers submitted – peer review, quality of the scienceThe journals publish the results of the national research effort. Most of New Zealand's publicly funded research is critically assessed and approved prior to allocation of the funding. If it is accepted that New Zealand research is of the best scientific standards according to international criteria, it follows that publication of that research in the preferred New Zealand journals will be of similar standards in terms of scientific integrity and rigour. All the New Zealand journals have strict procedures for assessment and accreditation of the papers that they publish. Initial submissions are reviewed by colleagues as a prerequisite to their submission to a journal. Subsequently, papers are sent to two or more reviewers to assess their scientific validity. At least 50% (on some journals up to 70%) of all reviewers are from outside New Zealand, ensuring that there is reduced risk of bias or familiarity unduly influencing the assessment. The journals themselves are edited by experienced, professional, scientific editors who have good judgment and a non-compromising attitude towards quality in terms of both scientific content and presentation. The result is a product that provides a body of significant knowledge to New Zealanders and is a showcase to the international science community. "I have published on occasion in journals in the USA, UK, Germany and Australia, and the New Zealand journals have equal or higher standards of reviewing and certainly equal quality of final product." 3.1.4 Number of submissionsOne level of support for a journal is seen in the number of papers authors choose to submit to it for publication. In total, the average number of submissions between the years 1990-95 and 1996-2001 has remained at the same level, though some journals have shown increases (e.g., Botany, Marine and Freshwater Research) while others have decreased (e.g., Agricultural Research, Crop and Horticultural Science). These variations reflect the changing patterns of research effort or priorities of publicly funded science. As a country, New Zealand is steadily increasing its scientific publications (as a percent of the world average) as its international collaboration in scientific publications is also steadily increasing. Considering the growing number of journals worldwide, and the increase in science publishing generally over time, it is clear that support for the New Zealand journals has remained strong even if options for alternative avenues for publication have increased. The New Zealand journals have also withstood the push by many institutions for authors to submit their work "overseas". "FRST policy on publications credit has contributed to a decreasing number of publications coming to [the New Zealand journals] from an increasing total of science publications generated … a more integrated view of this issue across the FRST-MoRST spectrum would be helpful." 3.1.5 Citation ratingsCitation analysis is a universal measure of a journal's international standing. The impact factor (IF) – the average number of citations per paper – can be compared with the IF of other journals worldwide. However, compared with journals from large countries overseas with wider geographical "regional" extent, its value as a measure of worth for the New Zealand journals is limited, and there are other measures (outlined in this report) of good quality journals than the citation ratings alone. "International impact should not be a criterion. Science in New Zealand is for the good of New Zealand, not international renown." Nevertheless, many institutions in New Zealand (and overseas) consider publishing their work only in journals with an IF of 1 or more. This immediately sets an unrealistic target for the New Zealand journals, which simply cannot sustain that level for any period of time because the citing population is just too small. Despite that, the citation ranking of the New Zealand journals is commendably high. The impact factors of the New Zealand journals have shown significant improvement since records began. For example,
Of particular significance for the New Zealand journals is that the cited half-life (i.e., the average length of time that an article continues to be cited) is typically more than 10 years. This indicates the continuing value and archival relevance of the nature of the work published. All New Zealand journals published by the Royal Society are analysed by the ISI (Institute for Scientific Information, USA): Only 5000 journals from a worldwide science journal population of around 25,000 are considered by ISI to be of sufficient standard to be used in their citation analysis. On that basis alone, the New Zealand science journals can be said to be in the top 20% of the world's science journals. 3.1.6 Standing of scientists associated with the journal – authors, referees, editorial board membersScientists with established reputations continue to support the New Zealand journals by submitting the results of much of their New Zealand-based research to them. Journal referees (over 500 per year) give of their time and expertise to assist the journals in maintaining their scientific quality and integrity. Editorial Advisory Boards, consisting of people nominated by members of scientific societies and leading organisations, have been formed for all the journals. Board members assist the journals, not only by giving practical advice to the editors on scientific matters and policy affecting journal content and performance, but also by lending credibility to the journals through their considerable knowledge, experience, reputation, and influence and by promoting them worldwide. 3.1.7 Alternatives for usersMost of the papers published in the New Zealand journals report scientific results of relevance only to the New Zealand region. They may or may not have wider relevance. But for those that do not, it can not be assured that other international journals would be prepared to publish them. This is not a reflection of their quality. "If [the New Zealand journals] were to cease, there would be no coherent way of widely disseminating scientific results of importance to New Zealand that did not have wider applicability. This would severely damage the body of knowledge about the physical environment and processes of New Zealand." With reference to the large "international" journals from the Northern Hemisphere, it is interesting to note that they themselves are largely regional in content also, and therefore often unsuitable avenues for the publication of the results of New Zealand (Southern Hemispheric) research. In the words of an Editorial Advisory Board member: "All the top 10 journals are hopelessly “Americo-centric”." 3.1.8 Financial support – subscriptions, government subsidy(i) Number of subscriptions A worldwide trend for many journals over the last decade has been a decrease in the number of subscriptions. The reasons for this are varied and the decrease does not necessarily reflect a decrease in support for the journals or a perception of decrease in their quality, or even a reduction in the number of readers. Some of the influences on subscriptions to the New Zealand journals are: (1) universal cuts to library budgets – libraries, especially from overseas institutions, constitute the largest proportion of the journal subscriber base; (2) an increase in the availability of "competitive" journals, including the international "must have's", together with the push to publish offshore, has meant that many individual scientists in New Zealand have had to spread their resources more widely – not all researchers subscribe to the New Zealand journals personally, especially when the journal is available in their library, so reliance is placed on the library access; (3) the growth of online publishing has increased the options for journal users, making subscription to the New Zealand journals less necessary. The bottom line for New Zealand scientists is that the New Zealand journals, as well as most relevant international journals, are now more readily available for their use without the need for an individual subscription. The New Zealand journals themselves are "freely" available online during 2002 to any researcher with electronic access. In effect, though subscription numbers have decreased, the number of real and potential readers of the journals has increased. (ii) Government subsidy When the New Zealand science journals published by the DSIR were transferred to the Royal Society in 1991, Government recognised the need for their funding. A Cabinet Committee at the time noted, "…that journal publication is an important part of the science infrastructure which provides for communicating scientific results within the scientific community, maintaining scientific knowledge and quality, and is an integral part of the continuum of science" and "… the benefits of scientific publication extend beyond the immediate interests of subscribers." It is clear that the Government then recognised that a case for continued publication of national science research journals existed. The level of that subsidy has since failed to keep pace with the effects of 30% inflation over the period that the journals have been published by the Royal Society. In addition, a 44% increase in publishing by New Zealand scientists worldwide, and an ever-growing demand for faster times to publication, means that the New Zealand journals are in danger of being "left behind" by not performing to their full potential because of their diminishing resources. Obviously, the need for continued, and increased, government support is paramount for the New Zealand journals to continue to function for the good of New Zealand and to showcase New Zealand science to the world. Publication and dissemination is the final act of the research process and an integral part of it.
The cost of publication is trivial in comparison to the cost of undertaking the research. |