David J. Brown – författare

The debate about access to scientific research raises questions about the current effectiveness of scholarly communication processes. This book explores, from an independent point of view, the current state of the STM publishing market, new publishing technologies and business models as well as the information habit of researchers, the politics of research funders, and the demand for scientific research as a public good. The book also investigates the democratisation of science including how the information needs of knowledge workers outside academia can be embraced in future.

The debate about access to scientific research raises questions about the current effectiveness of scholarly communication processes. This book explores, from an independent point of view, the current state of the STM publishing market, new publishing technologies and business models as well as the information habit of researchers, the politics of research funders, and the demand for scientific research as a public good. The book also investigates the democratisation of science including how the information needs of knowledge workers outside academia can be embraced in future.

The health of scientific enterprise has become a critical political and social issue as nation states tackle austerity, diversity, global challenges, whilst simultaneously supporting a competitive and innovative national economy. A key asset in achieving such ambitions is for a scholarly information system which enables the fruits of the research effort to be disseminated efficiently. As the information support system struggles with adapting from a print-based to a digital process, the dysfunctionality current within STEM publishing in particular becomes evident. New ways of supporting research are emerging which require a new approach to publishing, an approach which takes on board the many demographic, social, technical and administrative changes taking place in both science itself and society. A radical strategic assessment is required and this book tracks key aspects required for any new future strategy.

This book provides a catalogue of issues to which a future STEM information industry will need to adapt. They range from the effects of technology on the neurological processes of research to the growing use of technology to speed up the exchange of information among groups and collaboratories; from considerations about quality control yet maintaining intellectual ownership; from changing from an elitist STEM system favouring academics to a more democratic process with wider appeal. There is the neglected non-academic market and its need to share in the results of the research effort, often through partnership and being part of a ‘hive mind’. This is the large world of the unaffiliated knowledge workers, of which academia is numerically but a small part.

The many changes taking place in scholarly information dictate that the future is unlikely to be a smooth and gradual evolution from the past. Radical new approaches are required, a revolution which takes on board the perfect storm of changes listed in this book. Just as such changes have changed the face of industries such as music and retail in recent years, so similar dramatic changes are likely to result in a restructuring of STEM into a more technologically-focused industry within the next decade. The implications for the current STEM stakeholders are profound.

The health of scientific enterprise has become a critical political and social issue as nation states tackle austerity, diversity, global challenges, whilst simultaneously supporting a competitive and innovative national economy. A key asset in achieving such ambitions is for a scholarly information system which enables the fruits of the research effort to be disseminated efficiently. As the information support system struggles with adapting from a print-based to a digital process, the dysfunctionality current within STEM publishing in particular becomes evident. New ways of supporting research are emerging which require a new approach to publishing, an approach which takes on board the many demographic, social, technical and administrative changes taking place in both science itself and society. A radical strategic assessment is required and this book tracks key aspects required for any new future strategy.

This book provides a catalogue of issues to which a future STEM information industry will need to adapt. They range from the effects of technology on the neurological processes of research to the growing use of technology to speed up the exchange of information among groups and collaboratories; from considerations about quality control yet maintaining intellectual ownership; from changing from an elitist STEM system favouring academics to a more democratic process with wider appeal. There is the neglected non-academic market and its need to share in the results of the research effort, often through partnership and being part of a ‘hive mind’. This is the large world of the unaffiliated knowledge workers, of which academia is numerically but a small part.

The many changes taking place in scholarly information dictate that the future is unlikely to be a smooth and gradual evolution from the past. Radical new approaches are required, a revolution which takes on board the perfect storm of changes listed in this book. Just as such changes have changed the face of industries such as music and retail in recent years, so similar dramatic changes are likely to result in a restructuring of STEM into a more technologically-focused industry within the next decade. The implications for the current STEM stakeholders are profound.

Dieses Werk stellt den künftigen Umfang des elektronischen Publizierens dar und bietet praktische Hilfe bei der Planung und Entscheidungsfindung hinsichtlich der Investitionen in Informationssysteme für elektronische Medien. Als Resultat aus dem Bedarf an fundierter Information angesichts sich rasant ändernder Technologien entstand dieser Titel als zweite Ausgabe des erfolgreichen "Electronic Publishing and Libraries: Planning for the Impact and Growth to 2003".

Pluspunkte:

Though some claim otherwise, the theory of evolution is exactly that--a theory. Many of its assumptions will never be proven. Evolution You Say? Absolutely No Way! takes the reader on a humorous journey to clarify and discover the truth. You''ll enjoy predictions of future mutations, analysis of the past, six possible reasons why dinosaurs are extinct, limericks, flying spiders, nesting elephants, and answers to difficult questions.

Is it possible for any species to determine what its optimum level of existence is and then strive to reach it? No! Could evolution coordinate every required mutation to show up exactly where it is needed precisely when it was needed? No! Physical changes would have been rare and random, nothing more than accidental coincidences leading to death.

Have you ever considered which organ developed first? The heart or the lungs? Could one exist without the other? Can a creature with a partially formed stomach stay alive while waiting for the next necessary mutation to magically appear and strengthen the acid? How did rabbits move about before they grew limbs? What would animals ask for if they could talk during metamorphosis? How was food swallowed before there was a tongue? After its creation, a plant or animal can modify itself slightly over time through natural selection, but evolving something from nothing is impossible. A mindless piece of fibrous tissue can''t will itself to improve!