Page 254 - DLIS007_LIBRARY AUTOMATION

Unit 13: Computerization in Information Services

recommended that each publicly available version of a document carry a full Notes
specification of its status laid out in a visible and readily understandable manner.

Citation: Because of the possible existence of multiple versions of a document, the
Workshop recommended that the scientific community become involved in the
development of standardized citation practices that are friendly to science, include
appropriate metadata, are capable of automatic assignation and are easy to use.
Peer Review: The ease of publication in electronic media reinforces the case for
adequate quality control in terms of both the scientific content and the presentation.
Scientific societies and/or journals should therefore establish and distribute
guidelines in order to maintain the quality and integrity of the review process.
Scientific Misconduct: Any reduction in the control applicable to electronic
publication increases the opportunities for scientific misconduct, such as the falsifying
of results and plagiarism, although the technical features of electronic publication
(such as the ease of automatic scanning and searching for similarities) raises the
chance of detection. Research into the application of electronic methods for the
detection of scientific misconduct should therefore be encouraged.

Open Access: The Workshop considered the conflict between the needs of scientists
for ready access to large databases and collections of scientific observations, and the
requirements of the aggregators for commercial reward for their endeavours. The
results of publicly funded research should be clearly recognized as a ‘public good’,
and full and open access to the data collected was essential for scientific advancement.
This does not necessarily mean ‘free’ access by research workers; since the part
played by publishers, aggregators, librarians and other facilitator’s merits adequate
recompense if they are to continue in their valuable roles. The Workshop
recommended that the attention of the scientific community, funding agencies and
legislators be drawn to the fact that the scientific enterprise is crucially dependent
upon the ability of research workers to make use of collections of facts and
observations and that measures that limit access to such material are contrary to the
public good. Legislators are urged to provide for a mechanism permitting ‘fair use’
of large databases in order to promote full and open access to critical data for
scientific research and education with little adverse effect on the commercial interests
of the owner.

Privacy: It is now possible for journal editors and publishers to collect detailed
information on the nature of the material accessed and the usage, and to compile
author/user profiles. The kind of information being collected should be clearly
stated by journal editors and/or publishers, as well as the use to which it is being
put. Specific information relating to individuals should not be divulged to anyone
without the permission of the subject.
Archiving: A major factor restraining the adoption of electronic methods of
publication was the lack of archiving facilities, for there is currently little assurance
for authors and publishers that, with the advancement of technology, material issued
electronically will remain available and readable in the decades and centuries to
come. The establishment of archives, for the long-term preservation of electronic
publications, should be encouraged as fundamental to scientific and cultural
development.

Developing Countries: Electronic publishing represents a unique opportunity for
developing countries to promote the advancement of their scientific communications.
Contd...

LOVELY PROFESSIONAL UNIVERSITY 249