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Title: Scientific publications: now a marketing decision?

Author
item Hummer, Kim

Submitted to: Chronica Horticulturae
Publication Type: Popular Publication
Publication Acceptance Date: 2/20/2012
Publication Date: 3/1/2012
Citation: Hummer, K.E. 2012. Scientific publications: now a marketing decision?. Chronica Horticulturae. 52(1):3-5.

Interpretive Summary: This is an opinion-editorial concerning the publication of scientists in different journals. Scientists have been publishing in journals related to their disciplines. Now with the advent of the internet, many more options are now available and scientific publication has become a marketing decision. Scientific journals are rated by "impact factor" which is based on the average number of citations for the articles published in other approved scientific journals. Horticultural journals have low ratings, although they publish applicable research that tends to have long half-life. This is a delemma for horticulturists because frequently publishing in a no or low impact journal can reach an intended audience, although their promotion may be linked to publication in higher impact journals. Options are discussed.

Technical Abstract: Scientists have been publishing in journals related to their disciplines. Now with the advent of the internet, many more options are now available and scientific publication has become a marketing decision. Scientific journals are rated by "impact factor" which is based on the average number of citations for the articles published in other approved scientific journals. Horticultural journals have low impact factor ratings, although they publish applicable research that tends to have long half-life. This is a delemma for horticulturists because frequently publishing in a no or low impact factor journal can reach an intended audience, although their promotion may be linked to publication in higher impact journals. Options are discussed.