Electronic publishing: the movement from print to digital publication

Area of Science:

• Scholarly Communication
• Information Science
• Digital Publishing

Background:

• Information exchange within the scientific community is increasingly digital.
• The rise of electronic publishing necessitates an evaluation of its scholarly validity.
• Traditional print journals remain a benchmark for scholarly qualifications.

Purpose of the Study:

• To provide a comprehensive overview of electronic publishing.
• To discuss the scholarly qualifications and impact of electronic venues.
• To compare electronic journals with traditional print journals.

Main Methods:

• Literature review on electronic publishing trends.
• Analysis of the uses and types of electronic publishing.
• Examination of advantages and disadvantages of both electronic and print journals.

Main Results:

• Electronic publishing offers diverse formats and applications, including specialized uses in nursing and health care.
• Both electronic and print journals present distinct advantages and disadvantages.
• The future of scholarly communication will likely involve a hybrid model integrating electronic and print resources.

Conclusions:

• Electronic journals are a significant and evolving component of scientific information exchange.
• Understanding the pros and cons of electronic versus print journals is crucial for researchers and institutions.
• The integration of electronic resources, including hotlinked internet content, enhances the accessibility and utility of scholarly information.