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 'NZ science publishing shows strong collaboration culture'

A Ministry of Science and Innovation-commissioned evaluation of the Royal Society of New Zealand’s science journal services shows a strong level of collaboration among authors of journal articles. In addition, 75% of Society journal readers are from overseas, and the journals rank in the second quartile of journals published internationally for citation.[MORE]

Source: MSI 2011-07-26 http://www.msi.govt.nz/news/rsnz)

An evaluation of the Royal Society of New Zealand’s science journal services shows a strong level of collaboration among authors of journal articles.Commissioned by the Ministry of Science and Innovation (MSI), the evaluation shows a healthy level of collaboration between the sectors, and the value of the journals. Dr Prue Williams, MSI Chief Science Adviser, says “The journals compare favourably with international journals they are an asset to our national science infrastructure and help connect us to the global scientific community. 

The evaluation found that New Zealand companies are involved in co-authoring papers too. Almost seven per cent of articles published in the Society’s science journals in the past decade are co-authored by research organisations and New Zealand companies.Dr Williams says readership of the journals also shows their effectiveness in disseminating science and research findings. “In terms of the number of articles cited by other writers, the evaluation found that the journals rank in the second quartile of journals published internationally.”Dr Williams says that 75 per cent of Society journal readers are from overseas and that overseas readership has increased since the journals began to be published electronically.

MSI has funded the science journals since 1991, at the time as one of its predecessor agencies.

Other findings from the evaluation are:

•     The Royal Society of New Zealand operates an efficient process for editing and publishing a suite of New Zealand science journals.

•     Changes to the publication model appear to have promoted the visibility and attractiveness of the journals and have significantly improved the financial security of publication. Rates of submission to the journals have improved, suggesting increasing prestige. International comparisons show a commendable turn-around to print period.