Re: PostGutenberg Copyrights and Wrongs for Give-Away Research

From: Albert Henderson <chessNIC_at_COMPUSERVE.COM>
Date: Wed, 25 Jul 2001 13:56:41 -0400

on 25 Jul 2001 Stevan Harnad <harnad_at_coglit.ecs.soton.ac.uk> wrote:
 
> On Tue, 24 Jul 2001, Albert Henderson wrote:
>
> > sh> whereas it is indeed the journal's quality tag, certifying the
> > sh> quality level of its contents, that authors and users need, the two
> > sh> critical, substantive components on which it is based -- the research
> > sh> report itself, and the referee reports on it -- are always provided
> > sh> gratis by researchers. The journal merely implements this peer review
> > sh> process (processes the manuscript, selects the referees, processes
> > sh> their reports) -- an essential service, but a highly circumscribed
> > sh> one.
> >
> > Referees don't review for free. They get something
> > of greater value than money. Behind the scenes, each
> > journal organizes activities which are as vital to
> > the development of top scientists as publication.
> > Closely related, often under the aegis of the publisher,
> > are conferences, meetings, seminars, and other
> > volunteer participation.
>
> So could you run that by me again, Albert? When I am asked by a journal
> to referee a paper, in what sense am I not giving my time for free?

        Anyone who believes no value is gained by participating
        is free to refuse. Some do. Some ask for money. Some
        get money.

Albert Henderson
Former Editor, PUBLISHING RESEARCH QUARTERLY 1994-2000
<70244.1532_at_compuserve.com>
Received on Wed Jan 03 2001 - 19:17:43 GMT