Publishing Scientific Research Aldo Rampioni Publishing Editor
Outline About me, about Springer Books publishing Different types How to go about a book project Journals Trends in STM publishing Some considerations about the preparation and submission of papers Open Access
Springer who we are, what we do About me: At Springer (NL) since 2011 Books and journals Theoretical, mathematical and computational physics 6 years post-doc experience (Groningen, Bologna) PhD in Nonlinear Dynamics and Complex Systems, University of Florence Laurea in Physics, University of Bologna
Springer who we are, what we do Some key numbers: Founded in 1842: more than 170 years of publishing experience More than 7,000 employees worldwide, 86 publishing houses, in 21 countries Over 8,000 new book titles published in 2012 Over 2000 subscription based journals Over 350 Open Access journals: largest OA portfolio worldwide Springerlink (http://link.springer.com): our searchable content platform that interlinks journal papers, books and major reference works Some 90,000 English-language ebook titles available (August 2013) > a million users, 5 article downloads/sec
Springer who we are, what we do More than 150 Nobel laureates YOU RE IN GOOD COMPANY!
Springer is a trusted publishing partner for more than 500 learned societies worldwide Journal launched in 2008, IF 7.39 SpringerOpen journal Tsinghua University, Beijing, China American Vacuum Society Book series Book series SISSA Japanese National Institute for Material Science
Springer is a trusted publishing partner for more than 500 learned societies worldwide The European Physical Journal : a long standing society partnership to bring into the future the prestigious traditions of the European physics journals @EPJscience
Springer who we are, what we do Summarizing the given numbers in a sentence: Springer is a leading global scientific, technical and medical (STM) publisher with an important tradition combined with forward-looking product development
The importance of books "One of the peculiarities which distinguish the present age is the multiplication of books. Every day brings new advertisements of literary undertakings Samuel Johnson, 1759 Books continue to hold a very important place within the immense, diverse universe of scholarly literature Books provide perspective and a broader, deeper, more well rounded treatment of a topic than journals do Scientists enter new areas to solve interdisciplinary problems (biomaterials, energy, complexity) Books make an impact on the younger generations of scientists ISI launched in 2011 the book citation index (a new part of Web of Science ) and citations are tracked in the Web of Science
The importance of ebooks Reach printed version vs the online version Paper model Online database model Advantages for: Libraries Researchers Authors Publishers More content/service Easier to search Online first Lower distribution costs Higher usage Easier to cite Wider distribution Better marketing Better tracking 24/7 access Global readership efficiency Preservation Remote access More citations New markets
The importance of ebooks After some studies in co-operation with a number of universities, we can now confirm and support the following four theses about ebooks: ebook usage is much higher than anticipated. ebooks are used differently and in addition to print. Availability and discoverability are key determinants of ebook usage. ebooks have a long shelf life.
12 book publishing options 1. Monograph A scholarly book, or a treatise, on a single highly specialized subject or a group of closely related topics. Often called a research monograph : 2. Textbook A course book, a formal manual of instruction in a specific subject, especially for use in schools, colleges, universities (undergraduate or graduate levels) designed to meet demands of a particular course. Often with exercises, questions and solutions. Target audience, students. High usage.
12 book publishing options 3. Edited volume Also known as a contributed volume. Invited works. Multiple authors. Organized thematically. Often interdisciplinary. 4. Proceedings Collection of academic papers published in the context of a conference. Short shelf life. High usage. ISI listed.
12 book publishing options 5. Lecture Notes Lecture Notes in Physics (LNP) Series founded in 1969. An accessible introduction to the field to postgraduate students and non-specialist researchers from related areas. A source of advanced teaching material for specialized seminars, courses and schools. A bridge between advanced graduate textbooks and the forefront of research. Undergraduate Lecture Notes in Physics (ULNP) An clear and concise treatment of a standard undergraduate subject. An undergraduate-level introduction to an advanced or non-standard subject. A novel perspective or an unusual approach to teaching a subject. Can be less formal than a textbook.
12 book publishing options 6. SpringerBriefs Concise volumes (50-125 pages) including summaries of cuttingedge research, practical applications, brief introductions, or technical reports. 7. Theses Selection of the very best PhD theses from around the world. Nominated and endorsed by two recognized specialists, each published volume has been selected for its scientific excellence and the high impact.
12 book publishing options 8. Professional texts Written for industry or commerce, often as a manual, guide, data compendium, written for use by professionals. 9. Popular Science Suitable for the trade market, non-technical writing style, scientific topics/angle with wide general public interest.
12 book publishing options 10. Springer Protocols Biomedical and life sciences protocols. 15 subject collections. Step-by-step instructions, in a standardized format. Indexed by: PubMed, Scopus, Embase, Google.
12 book publishing options 11. Major Reference Works Encyclopedia, Handbook or Atlas. SpringerMaterials. Often multi-volume. Comprehensive and complete: tertiary literature. Often A-Z format. The online version is a dynamic platform with updates, much like WikiPedia (but peer reviewed). Long shelf life. 12. Handbooks Similar to MRW s, but in a single volume. A concise compilation of approved key information on methods of research, general principles, and functional relationships. Long shelf life.
I have an idea! I have an idea for a book How do I get started?
The book proposal Working Title Author/Editor information Synopsis: What is it about? Background information. What is the approach of this book to the subject? Motivations and goals. Timeliness and relevance. Outline of the contents. If edited, who are the contributors envisaged? Who is your audience? Students, researchers, engineers Why is this book needed? Unique Selling Points Keywords: what would you type on Google search to find your book? Competitive/Related Literature Optional: additional Information (sample chapters, etc )
The book publication process, in brief When Submit you proposal submit to Publishing a book (proposal) Editor Book proposal review Invite authors, contract, prepare manuscript Submit manuscript Production: Editing, typesetting and formatting Print proofs: minor changes and corrections Book published!
When you publish your book with Springer Springer publishing editors guide you through the process. Springer production carries out all the typesetting, formatting, etc. All books available as ebook and/or traditional print (POD = Print on Demand). Books never go out of print. Most Springer books are indexed in the Web of Science book citation index. Publishing with Springer doesn t cost you anything. Authors and editors normally receive royalties. Complementary copies for authors/editors. 33% discount on all other Springer books. Springer distributes the books world-wide to academic and R&D libraries and through online books and ebooks outlets (Amazon, ibook store). ebooks on SpringerLink 24/7 access Electronic supplementary material (videos, etc.) Fully searchable PDF and HTML formats, epub coming soon Ownership model / No subscription model(your library will not loose access) No DRM (Digital Right Management )
Science, Technology and Medicine (STM) book market
Questions about Books?
Philosophical Transactions the world's first science journal In 1662, the 'Royal Society of London for Improving Natural Knowledge' was granted a charter to publish by King Charles II. On 6 March 1665, the first issue of Philosophical Transactions was published under the visionary editorship of Henry Oldenburg, Secretary of the Society. The first volumes of what was the world's first scientific journal were very different from today's journal, but in essence it served the same function; namely to inform the Fellows of the Society and other interested readers of the latest scientific discoveries. As such, Philosophical Transactions established the important principles of scientific priority and peer review, which have become the central foundations of scientific journals ever since. Source: Royal Society Publishing (link)
Trends in STM* Publishing: publication rates The number of articles published since 1726 shows an exponential increase averaging at around a 3% increase per annum. Some key dates in academic publishing 1454 printing press was introduced in Europe by Gutenberg XVI-XVII centuries first learned societies and university presses appeared: Polish Sodalitas Litterarum Vistulana (1488), Accademia dei Lincei (1606), CUP (1534), OUP (1586). 1665 the first journal appeared (1760-1840 first industrial revolution) 1843 rotary press was invented by R. Hoe Based on data published in Jinha, A. E. (2010). Article 50 million: An estimate of the number of scholarly articles in existence. Learned Publishing 23 (3): 258 263. * STM = Science, Technology, Medicine XIX century first publishing companies were founded: Wiley&Sons (1807), Springer (1842), Francis&Taylor (1852), Elsevier (1880) 1993 digital press, internet
Trends in STM* Publishing: publication rates Increased competition Growing pressure on journal editors and peer reviewers Source: Daniel McGowan, Edanz, 2012
Types of journals Traditional academic research journal Main venue for primary research, rigorously peer-reviewed. Letters journal Rapid communication of interim work, peer-reviewed, a good way to get very new and ongoing research initially published. Review journal Covers current trends, usually peer-reviewed, contains some commissioned material. Conference proceedings archives Important to establish the priority when presenting unpublished results, peer-reviewed by the conference technical program committee. Professional journal / magazine Educational, policy and how-to articles, include mostly commissioned materials heavily edited, not always peer-reviewed.
Before you begin A few important common sense rules Read broadly, know the background material, the state of the art of your field, know the key papers - Make sure you have access to the most up-to-date literature Clearly define the open question your research wants to answer to Use appropriate methods and controls Ensure sample sizes are large enough Use appropriate statistical tests Remove investigator/researcher/patient bias Comply with ethical requirements
Publishing ethics The work described has not been published before It is not under consideration anywhere else Publication has been approved by co-authors and responsible authorities Permissions have been obtained from copyright owners No data fabrication or falsification CrossCheck powered by ithenticate is an initiative started by CrossRef to help its members actively engage in efforts to prevent scholarly and professional plagiarism
W.F.C. Curtis, March 2012 Publishing ethics - Common types of misconduct Scientific misconduct is a continuum ranging from honest errors to outright fraud (Nylemma and Simonsen (2006) Scientific misconduct: a new approach to prevention. The Lancet 367, 1882-1884) Data Fabrication Falsification Plagiarism Duplicate Publication Disputed Authorship Undeclared Conflict of Interest
Publishing ethics COPE: Committee on Publication Ethics COPE provides a forum for editors of academic journals to discuss issues relating to the integrity of the works in their journals COPE can act as the impartial mediator in disputes COPE is a charity registered in the UK, established in 1997 Currently 5200 members
How to choose the right journal Choose the journal after completion of the research, but before writing the article so you can write it according to the journal specifications Follow the references in your own paper. Check the description (A&S, editorial board) of the journals you use as references. Check where collaborating/competing research groups publish their work. Which community do you want to address (especially important for interdisciplinary works)? Look if the journal is abstracted/indexed accordingly. Discuss with colleagues /peers about their experiences with journals you are considering. Avoid journals with no clear submission and reviewing procedures. Check for Open Access recommendations from your institute or funder. Use tools such as the Edanz Journal Selector at http://www.edanzediting.com/journal_selector
Discoverability of your work: metadata Your article needs to be found, read, used and cited! Metadata ensures your work appears with the proper audience through for example Abstracting and Indexing Services Search Engine Optimization (SEO)
Getting ready to submit Prepare a cover letter This is your chance to sell your manuscript to the Editor in Chief (EiC) (but DON T OVERCLAIM!) Remember that the EiC receives an increasing amount of manuscripts, so be clear and concise Address the EiC personally in your letter Give the background to your research Explain the importance of your article in relation to the scope of the Journal Emphasize the key take away points - the USPs, the Unique Selling Points - from your article Recommend reviewers, it will be very much appreciated Exclude reviewers and include the reason
Getting ready to submit Language editing Professional editing services can help you to improve the text on grammar and to enhance the readability of your manuscript It is neither a requirement nor a guarantee for acceptance for publication Professional editing services will raise your chances of acceptance and ensures clear communication of your research Edanz will give authors who plan to submit to a Springer journal a 10% discount www.edanzediting.com/springer_lp
Article evaluation At Springer, the editors who run the journals are independent active researchers who are highly regarded in the scientific community Manuscript submitted Editor assigned rapid rejection or peer review Editor sources reviewers Reviewers Reviewers evaluate evaluate accept, reject accept or revise Revise manuscript Publication!
How to deal with feedback Take time to calm down before tackling the revisions and rebuttal letter. Don t write a rebuttal longer than the paper. Consider every critique as an opportunity to improve/clarify your article. Do NOT take offense. Discrediting the referees does not pay off. Nearly every manuscript requires revisions, often two or three revisions. Minor revision does not guarantee acceptance after revision. Address all comments carefully. Do not be disheartened if you receive a rejection. It may be that the journal you submitted to simply was not the right journal.
Acceptance and publication of your article Once the article has been accepted it takes, on average, only 20-25 days from acceptance to online publication. Once the article is published Online First it has a Digital Object Identifier and can be read and cited. For example: DOI: 10.1007/s10681-012-0632-1 Page and an issue numbers are assigned when the full issue is compiled. Consecutive article publishing: the article gets the final citation line, including its article number as soon as it is published online. Article workflow Manuscript accepted Typesetting & Author Forms Proof to author (and editor) Proof correction Published OnlineFirst Issue workflow Select available OnlineFirst articles Compile issue Publish issue online Print and distribute issue
ORCID: Open Researcher and Contributor ID Go to www.orcid.org and register for your own Digital Identifier
Journal Impact Factor Points to consider 3.5 3 2.5 Average Impact Factors by field in 2010 2012 IF = #citations in 2012 to articles published in 2010 & 2011 #papers published in 2010 & 2011 2 1.5 1 0.5 0 Highly discipline specific Larger in more populated disciplines Other factors influence the calculation, e.g. number of issues published per year Short term. Depends on how hot the topic is Prone to manipulation
Other impact metrics SJR (SCImago Journal Ranking) is a prestige metric based on the idea that not all citations are equal, but a citation from a source with a relatively high SJR is worth more than a citation from a source with a lower SJR. SNIP (Source Normalized Impact per Paper) measures contextual citation impact by weighting citations based on the total number of citations in a subject field h-index is intended to measure simultaneously the quality and quantity of scientific output. A scholar with an index of h has published h papers each of which has been cited in other papers at least h times. Can be applied to individuals (grows over time), departments, journals Article level metrics look at citations, number of downloads, alternative metrics look at mentions in blogs, in media outlets, in social networks, number of bookmarks (www.altmetric.com)
Questions about Journals?
Open sesame! Open Access A policy and a publishing model Open Science Open Source Open Data A movement advocating the sharing of scientific results, data, software and source codes Everyone should be free to read, share, analyze, use, modify and reuse works produced and published by others Contents become available for massive data mining G8 Science Ministers Support Open Scientific Research Data 13 June 2013 https://www.gov.uk/government/news/g8-scienceministers-statement
How does Open Access work? Subscription model Free to publish Pay to read Kinds of Open Access: Gold: publishing in a fully open access journal Green: self-archiving in an open repository, embargo A traditional journal can offer Open Access to authors who wish to pay to make their paper open Open Access (OA) model Free for anyone to read Pay to publish, APC Authors keep copyright to their work At Springer Two options: Springer Open and hybrid Rigorous peer review Authors are asked to pay after acceptance
Creative Commons licenses Springer s Open Access papers use the CC BY license
How much does it cost? Who pays? APCs vary depending on publisher. At SpringerOpen they are between 500 1,500 EUR The author (via research grant or institutional funds) Waived (economic hardship, invitation from EiC) Membership Program: To remove this burden from the individual authors, SpringerOpen and BMC journals offer to institutions a Membership Program 15 institutes in Italy Paid through other schemes A society sponsors a journal SCOAP3 - a consortium of high-energy physics funding agencies, laboratories and libraries
The success story of Open Access Directory of Open Access Journals (DOAJ) is hosted and maintained by Lund University in Sweden. There are about 10,000 Open Access journals in the DOAJ database (link). 1800 1600 1400 Number of journals added into DOAJ 1471 1542 1200 1000 800 600 525 557 580 500 550 846 759 400 200 0 33 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 74 Source: http://www.doaj.org date: January 25, 2012
Open Access by subject (Bio)Medicine was the field where Open Access rooted most naturally because of eg. the NIH. Most Open Access journals are still in Health Sciences, but other fields are catching up fast. 2500 Fully Open Access journals by subject 2000 1500 1000 500 0 Source: http://www.doaj.org date: January 25, 2012
Acknowledgements Many thanks to Maria Bellantone, Diana Alkema, Jacco Flipsen, Robert Doe, Ties Nijssen, Nathalie Jacobs for sharing their slides with me Elisa Magistrelli for asking me to give this presentation All the physics team with whom I have worked these years
Comments, Questions, Ideas? Aldo Rampioni Physics Springer SBM, Dordrecht, The Netherlands email: aldo.rampioni@springer.com