Scientific publishing: a case study of Libyan scientists

Abstract

PurposeThe paper aims to report on a research project that explores the extent and scope of scientific publishing, communication, and collaboration amongst Libyan scientists.Design/methodology/approachThe paper commences with a literature review on scientific communication and publishing, including a specific focus on such activities in developing countries. A bibliometric analysis of the papers published by scientists in research centres affiliated to Libya's National Centre for Scientific Research was conducted in order to investigate the extent and nature of scholarly communication of Libyan scientists.FindingsLibyan scientists are a community that works in research teams, largely comprised of scientists in Libya, but, which, on the other hand, is actively disseminating the findings of its research to a wider international audience. This is evident from the publications of 45 per cent of papers in English, and a significant level of publication in countries outside Libya. Further, the extent to which publication is through conferences and symposia is evidence of engagement in informal communication within and beyond the scientific community in Libya.Originality/valueThis is the first study of scientific publishing and communication activities in Libya. It offers useful insights into a variety of aspects of communication and dissemination of research findings. As such it provides a useful contribution towards understanding the potential impact of new models of scholarly publishing, both in Libya, and in other developing countries.

The impact of information and communication technologies on informal scientific communication

“…such as social networks are used to gain new ideas, share research, communicate with other scholars, and publish research ( Kirkup, 2010;Mahmood et al, 2009; Sauer et al., 2005). These findings, as in this study, suggest that these networks are facilitating scholarly communication activities.…”

“…The speed of change with regard to using modern informal channels in communication practices would increase if these channels had an impact on the promotion process at academic institutions (Gruzd et al, 2011). Recent studies found that modern, informal channels Downloaded by UNIVERSITY OF EXETER At 00:37 04 August 2015 (PT)such as social networks are used to gain new ideas, share research, communicate with other scholars, and publish research ( Kirkup, 2010;Mahmood et al, 2009; Sauer et al., 2005). These findings, as in this study, suggest that these networks are facilitating scholarly communication activities.…”

Changing styles of informal academic communication in the age of the web

“…Informal channels differ from the formal ones in that they allow more interaction between the transmitter of the information and the receiver, which is difficult in formal channels (Russell, 2001). The obvious benefit of informal communication is that it can help to identify a suitable research idea and hypothesis, define the research approach, refine the findings, and put them in the context of other research (Mahmood et al, 2009).…”

“…The obvious benefit of informal communication is that it can help to identify a suitable research idea and hypothesis, define the research approach, refine the findings, and put them in the context of other research (Mahmood et al, 2009). Amidst a background of new scholarly communication channels, and the huge number of papers that discuss scholarly communication on the social web, it is notable that few researchers have investigated changes in the balance of approaches used in scholarly communication.…”

Patterns of co-authorship and research collaboration in Malaysia

“…Establishing international collaboration as well as university-industry collaboration is becoming more important for academic research. The structural analysis method applied in this study provides guidance to countries, particularly emerging economies in the Asia-Pacific region, Eastern Europe and Sub-Saharan Africa as well as some countries in the Middle East (Ocholla et al, 2012;Davarpana and Behrouzfar, 2009;Mahmood et al, 2009). These countries are also in the process of developing competitive scientific research systems.…”