Extract
Computers and wide use of the Internet are rapidly changing
the world of hard-copy publishing. The Internet has a number of
potential advantages, including a more efficient peer-review process, timely
publication, publication of video supplements, creation of interactive
forums, opportunities to interact with authors and other experts,
enhanced literature-search capability, and the ability to catalogue
information of particular interest. However, the Internet provides
unrestricted access to and permits the worldwide distribution of
information that not only may be scientifically invalid but also
may be fraudulent through either purposeful deception or ineptitude.
Quality peer-reviewed scientific journals must play a major role
in electronic publishing, as they will bring to the Internet the
highest-quality peer-reviewed scientific information. The editorial processes
of our best scientific journals can add substantial value to electronic
publishing by sorting the valuable from the valueless, identifying
important sources of information, and directing busy clinicians
and scientists to the highest-quality information in an efficient
and effective way. However, the transition to Internet publishing
has been relatively slow. A major challenge facing publishers is
how to derive sufficient income from electronic publishing. Internet
advertising alone has not yet proven to be sufficient to support
a major peer-reviewed scientific publication. The creation of revenue
through advertising will be essential, and guidelines for advertising
in Internet publications need to be carefully considered. Equally
important is the issue of user confidentiality, since user information
is readily available and is commercially valuable. Current methods
of publishing are challenged by rising costs, creating a serials
crisis in academic libraries. Alternative mechanisms of publication,
in which authors post self-prepared manuscripts in electronic format
on free or low-cost web sites, including the National Institutes
of Health PubMed Central Repository, have become a threat to traditional
journals. Web sites with free orthopaedic educational material have
become particularly popular in international settings where the
cost of many journals is prohibitive. The publisher faces all of
these challenges, including the public perception that information
should be free as well as the costs inherent in the building of
the computer infrastructure and support necessary for Internet publishing.
However, in spite of the challenges, the journal "brand" authenticates
and provides quality assurance that is otherwise not available on
the Internet. This added value creates optimism for the continuation
of the peer-review process in the electronic medium.
Computers and wide use of the Internet are rapidly changing
the world of hard-copy publishing. The Internet has a number of
potential advantages, including a more efficient peer-review process, timely
publication, publication of video supplements, creation of interactive
forums, opportunities to interact with authors and other experts,
enhanced literature-search capability, and the ability to catalogue
information of particular interest. However, the Internet provides
unrestricted access to and permits the worldwide distribution of
information that not only may be scientifically invalid but also
may be fraudulent through either purposeful deception or ineptitude.
Quality peer-reviewed scientific journals must play a major role
in electronic publishing, as they will bring to the Internet the
highest-quality peer-reviewed scientific information. The editorial processes
of our best scientific journals can add substantial value to electronic
publishing by sorting the valuable from the valueless, identifying
important sources of information, and directing busy clinicians
and scientists to the highest-quality information in an efficient
and effective way. However, the transition to Internet publishing
has been relatively slow. A major challenge facing publishers is
how to derive sufficient income from electronic publishing. Internet
advertising alone has not yet proven to be sufficient to support
a major peer-reviewed scientific publication. The creation of revenue
through advertising will be essential, and guidelines for advertising
in Internet publications need to be carefully considered. Equally
important is the issue of user confidentiality, since user information
is readily available and is commercially valuable. Current methods
of publishing are challenged by rising costs, creating a serials
crisis in academic libraries. Alternative mechanisms of publication,
in which authors post self-prepared manuscripts in electronic format
on free or low-cost web sites, including the National Institutes
of Health PubMed Central Repository, have become a threat to traditional
journals. Web sites with free orthopaedic educational material have
become particularly popular in international settings where the
cost of many journals is prohibitive. The publisher faces all of
these challenges, including the public perception that information
should be free as well as the costs inherent in the building of
the computer infrastructure and support necessary for Internet publishing.
However, in spite of the challenges, the journal "brand" authenticates
and provides quality assurance that is otherwise not available on
the Internet. This added value creates optimism for the continuation
of the peer-review process in the electronic medium.