Publication in Professional Journals in Science and Engineering: A Survey of Editorial Procedures and Opinion

摘要

With the rapidly increasing pace of advancement in scientific and technical fields, it has become more and more critical that professionals in those fields maintain currency. They must keep abreast of significant advances as they occur, inform others of their own contributions to the field concerned, and exchange ideas and experience with their colleagues. The professional societies, of course, are the primary forum through which this is done, and their meetings, symposia, and publications are the principal media. The survey reported here was undertaken to develop information about publication in a limited number of journals in high technological areas published by professional societies. The editors themselves are the primary authorities on these matters. They know what they do, and how and why they do it - the constraints on them, the problems that they encounter, and the basis for decisions that they make. So it seemed reasonable to solicit their comments on the process of publication within the journals they edit and any advice that they might have for potential contributors. These should be of particular interest to all who might wish to contribute to these or similar journals.