[Purposes] This paper analyzes the development of global open publishing to provide a decision-making basis for management departments at all levels. [Methods] With SCIE data and website information of each open access (OA) journal, statistical analysis was conducted on the global publishing of OA journals, author publications, and article processing charge (APC) reasonableness, as well as the OA publications and APC expenditures of authors in China. [Findings] In 2022, 7759 global OA journals are indexed in SCIE, showing an increase of 15% compared with that in 2021. The journals with reasonable APC account for 66%. The global OA publications increase by 6%, and the papers published by Chinese authors account for 29%. Chinese authors have published 269800 articles in 4936 OA journals, with an APC expenditure of approximately 4.3 billion CNY, which increase by 44% and 43%, respectively, compared with those in 2021. The National Natural Science Foundation of China is the main fund supporting Chinese authors to publish OA papers, with an annual APC expenditure increase of 33%. [Conclusions] OA publishing has become the mainstream of global publishing, and China's OA publications and APC expenditures have grown rapidly. In China, efforts should be made to improve the open publishing market of scientific journals and strengthen the management of APC expenditures in research funds.
[Purposes] This paper aims to study the cluster development of English journal cluster with Chinese characteristics under the circumstances of the clustering expansion of international journal publishers. [Methods] The feasible plan for developing English journal cluster was explored from the aspects of journal positioning, editorial features, and development practice based on six English journals of Chinese Laser Press in chronological order. [Findings] By virtue of a clear hierarchical layout of journals, independent publication and sustainable development, and measures of cluster operation and integration development, Chinese Laser Press strives to build world-class English journals and establish an international publishing platform. [Conclusions] English journals published by Chinese Laser Press have a growing international influence thanks to a series of reforms and innovations. The publishing platform is well established, and its cluster development practice can serve as a beneficial model for other publishers in China.
[Purposes] This paper aims to explore the intelligent development path for Chinese scientific journals by analyzing the demand for artificial intelligence (AI) technology in scientific journals and its practical applications. [Methods] The applications and demand for AI technology in domestic scientific journals were analyzed by questionnaire surveys and interviews. Meanwhile, the potential integration of large language models and scientific journal publishing using ChatGPT 4.0 as an example in practical applications was demonstrated first, and AI tools involved in the journal publishing were summarized via network research. [Findings] Editing and typesetting are the central issues of editors, and AI technology applications are more popular in scientific integrity review. Additionally, editors have high demands for AI tools. ChatGPT 4.0 has the application potential in scientific journal publishing. [Conclusions] The integration of AI into Chinese scientific journals requires innovative ecological layouts, deeper application scenarios, and technological innovation and publishing mode upgrade driven by specific demands and scenarios. It is equally important to be mindful of technological limitations and safeguard the scientific ecosystem. Moreover, it is crucial to uphold the content quality in academic journals and push forward high-quality journal development by technology.
[Purposes] Retraction is an effective mechanism to ensure the quality of journals. This paper analyzes the retraction status and mechanisms of SCI/SSCI journals sponsored by Chinese organizations, so as to provide references for their publication ethics construction. [Methods] This paper collected the retracted papers published in SCI/SSCI journals sponsored by Chinese organizations and analyzed their original articles and retraction characteristics. [Findings] As of the end of 2022, a total of 244 papers published in SCI/SSCI journals sponsored by Chinese organizations have been retracted. Journals with high impact factors have retracted more papers, and the basic life sciences are the main disciplines of retracted papers. The main reasons for retraction are duplication/plagiarism, scientific errors, etc., among which duplication/plagiarism includes duplication or plagiarism of articles, images, data, or text. Papers retracted due to scientific errors are mainly voluntarily retracted by the authors, while those retracted due to academic misconduct are mainly retracted by journals or third parties. [Conclusions] The mechanism for paper retraction in SCI/SSCI journals sponsored by Chinese organizations still needs to be further improved. It is necessary to timely establish retraction policies, build key discipline evaluation mechanisms, actively respond to new types of academic misconduct, optimize post-publication peer review, and set up risk paper warning mechanisms and a journal research integrity and credit system.
[Purposes] This study aims to explore the path to enhancing journal strength by analyzing the hard and soft power of academic journals. [Methods] By analyzing the functions and missions of journals and the definition of the connotation of the hard and soft power of academic journals, this study summarized nine performances of journals in terms of hard and soft power. Furthermore, the methods of enhancing journal strength were summarized into three stages: new journal start-up, stable single journal enhancement, and advancement to the level of publishers. [Findings] The hard power of journals is embodied by collecting world-class research achievements, having multidisciplinary influence, being cited by top journals, being included in important databases, representing commercial values, and using international scientific language. The soft power of journals is embodied by strictly evaluating world-class papers, having the courage to encourage diverse opinions and ideas, and reflecting historical accumulation. [Conclusions] Focusing on the hard and soft power of journals and implementing corresponding enhancement strategies in different stages of journal development can help China establish a number of internationally competitive brand journals and publishing groups and enhance China's discourse power.
[Purposes] This study aims to explore the applicability of ChatGPT in the text editing for abstracts in Chinese scientific journals and provide a reference for editors to adapt to the development of artificial intelligence. [Methods] A total of 50 abstracts in Chinese scientific journals were taken as the test texts, and the differences before and after editing by ChatGPT 3.5 were analyzed. [Findings] ChatGPT corrects the grammar errors, polishes the language, and standardizes academic expression. However, it has defects such as providing error message or misusing specialized terms. [Conclusions] ChatGPT could assist editors in text editing, while the manual judgment is still irreplaceable. We should give priority to the cultivation of intelligent information literacy and the research & development of artificial intelligence tools for editors in China.
[Purposes] This paper aims to analyze the positive role of retrieval tools as journal evaluation tools and the resulting misunderstandings. [Methods] Starting from the citation index, the paper discussed why the retrieval tool was used for journal evaluation, explored the relationship between journal evaluation and academic evaluation, and probed into the purpose of evaluation, the difference between evaluation and comparison, and their respective advantages and disadvantages. The paper also explored the reason why quantitative indicators could not be regarded as objective and what is quality evaluation. In terms of the preferred standard for quality pursuit and the key to improving the innovation of academic journals, the paper put forward a personal opinion. [Findings] The evaluation indicators of academic journals has both favorable and unfavorable effects, and using the impact factors of published journals to evaluate the individual academic achievements of researchers is inappropriate. [Conclusions] This paper calls for downplaying the awareness of core journals, reducing their role as a baton in academic activities, and running academic journals according to the requirements and laws of their development.
[Purposes] This paper aims to explore the current trend and path of integrating journals and networks at home and abroad to improve journal quality and dissemination effectiveness. [Methods] Through literature research, with a focus on summarizing the practice of CNKI, we presented research results guided by case study. [Findings] Online publishing has entered a stage of rapid development, and the timeliness of academic journal online publishing has received unprecedented attention. At present, 66.5% of core scientific journals have chosen CNKI for online first publishing. Online first publishing plays a significant role in shortening paper publishing delays, and improving journal Web download rates, composite impact factors, and composite annual indicators. CNKI has also actively tried enhanced publishing of journals, playing an important exemplary role in promoting transparency of paper content, enhancing readability and infectivity of papers, promoting research inheritance and innovation, and rectifying academic atmosphere. Bilingual publishing is one of the effective means to promote the international dissemination of Chinese journals. CNKI enhances the quality and international influence of academic journals through timely reporting and bilingual interpretation of domestic and foreign academic achievements. [Conclusions] CNKI integrates various academic achievements produced by journals such as academic papers, enhancement materials, and conference videos into the journal dissemination interface in a one-stop manner, achieving effective integration of academic resources, breaking down barriers to academic resource dissemination, and maximizing the brand value of journals.
[Purposes] This study aims to analyze the current situation of journal publishing and platform development of the Alliance of Crop, Soil, and Environmental Science Societies (ACSESS) in the United States and provide references for the clustering development of agricultural journals sponsored by agricultural societies in China. [Methods] Network research was employed to analyze the publishing mode of journals included by ACSESS website and sponsored by the American Society of Agronomy, Crop Science Society of America, and Soil Science Society of America, and the current status of academic platform development of ACSESS was summarized. The results were compared with the platform construction and journal publishing status of three China's agricultural societies (China Association of Agricultural Science Societies, Crop Science Society of China, and Soil Science Society of China). [Findings] ACSESS has facilitated cooperation at two levels: between academic societies and Wiley, as well as among the three societies themselves. The ACSESS academic platform has promoted intensive publishing and operation of journals sponsored by the three agricultural societies, achieving collaborative publishing and organization of academic conferences, integration of journal resources, and diversified promotion. The three agricultural societies in China still have shortcomings in society cooperation, platform development for clustering publishing, and establishment of English journal portfolios. [Conclusions] Establishing an alliance helps multiple agricultural societies establish a normalized cooperation mechanism. The societies can jointly build a cluster digital publication platform for agricultural sciences and collaborate on journal management, academic conference organization, and clustering promotion, so as to promote the clustering development of agricultural journals and interdisciplinary development of agricultural sciences in China.
[Purposes] This paper proposes a policy grading template suitable for storing and sharing data related to scientific journals in China, which provides a reference for the basic elements, structural framework, and main content for formulating data policies for scientific journals in China. [Methods] Through literature research, empirical research, and other methods, this paper analyzed the normative system of scientific data management in China and sorted out journal data policies of international publishers, recommendations on journal data policy framework proposed by international organizations, and scientific data management systems in China. It also analyzed the basic elements of data policies of scientific journals in China. [Findings] According to the research and analysis, a general data policy grading template for scientific journals is proposed, which can be freely combined and customized according to the actual needs of journals and provide a reference for different journals to formulate data policies. [Conclusions] Currently, 44 journals have adopted this template, which helps some scientific journals establish data policies and promote the sharing and long-term storage of paper-related data.
[Purposes] This paper aims to analyze the characteristics of DOAJ-indexed Chinese open access (OA) journals and their charging policies to provide references for the establishment of an article processing charge (APC) system for OA journals in China. [Methods] A total of 253 Chinese and English journals in China included in DOAJ were used as the research objects, and the time of inclusion, language distribution, publisher distribution, discipline distribution, and charging policies of each journal were collected from the journals' official websites and DOAJ database by web research method. Then, the characteristics of the journals and their charging policies were analyzed. [Findings] The number of Chinese OA journals included in DOAJ is small, and the distribution of OA journals by discipline is uneven. The degree of intensification of OA journal publishing is not high. Chinese OA journals and Chinese and English OA journals still follow the traditional mode of charging page fees and the fees are generally not high. English OA journals have initially established APC charging rules. Different disciplines show differences in APC. [Conclusions] Strengthening policy guidance, enhancing information construction, improving journal service quality, encouraging Chinese researchers to debut their results in Chinese OA journals, and developing a charging system framework suitable for the development of OA journals in China will promote OA publishing development in China.
[Purposes] In the context of media integration, a feasible media integration communication strategy for scientific journals has been summarized, with a view to enabling scientific journals to serve academic users with a more proactive attitude, more rich and convenient functions, and more diverse communication forms and channels, thereby improving the integrated media communication ability of scientific journals. [Methods] Based on the concept of meeting the academic needs of users, this paper analyzed the challenges and opportunities faced by the integrated media communication of scientific journals and conducted research on the specific content and effectiveness of The Chinese Journal of Nonferrous Metals in the integrated media communication practice case. [Findings] A highly universal communication strategy for scientific journals has been proposed from four dimensions: service, platform, content, and efficiency. [Conclusions] Enhancing service awareness, building communication platforms, optimizing communication content, and improving communication efficiency are important means to enhance the communication capacity and academic services of scientific journals. They can expand the influence of scientific journals and achieve high-quality communication of scientific journals.
[Purposes] This paper aims to provide references for popular science journals to harness the potential of short videos in enhancing their public communication prowess and brand influence. [Methods] A comprehensive analysis was conducted on 719 short videos from 23 outstanding popular science journals in China by content analysis and regression analysis techniques. [Findings] Several factors significantly influence the dissemination effect of short videos from popular science journals. These factors include content themes, narrative styles, title lengths, cover types, background music, comments and interactions, number of followers, and update frequency. However, the relationship between video duration and the communication effect of short videos from popular science journals was not significant. [Conclusions] Content themes that resonate with the audience's daily lives should be selected by employing a light-hearted and humorous narrative approach to optimize the influence of short videos from popular science journals. Emotional resonance can be triggered and a first look effect can be created by adding background music and employing "picture+text" covers. Meanwhile, a dedicated professional team is advisable to bolster short video updates and proactively engage with audience comments. The strategic emphasis on short video operations, coupled with the development of a diverse and distinctive communication approach, is crucial in fortifying the reach and influence of popular science journal short videos.
[Purposes] This paper aims to find differences of the incentive effect of different peer review motivation factors, in order to provide references for the optimization of reviewing incentive strategy of journal publishing units. [Methods] First, we constructed the system of motivation factors of scientific research personnel in peer review by literature research method. Second, we used the questionnaire to investigate the differences in the effects of different motivation factors. [Findings] Obtaining relevant academic information, understanding peers' status, encouraging in-depth reading, obtaining priority publishing opportunities have a strong incentive effect on peer review, while material reward, letter of appreciation, DOI citation, record and certification of third-party peer review platform, and online resource discount have a weak effect. Reviewers with different characteristics, such as discipline, professional title, and peer review time, have great differences in peer review motivation factors. [Conclusions] Journal publishing units should attach great importance to the motivating effect of manuscript review generated by the manuscript itself; strengthen the measures such as priority for publication, entering the editorial board, and providing academic trends, and weaken the measures such as material reward, letter of appreciation, and DOI citation, so as to avoid inefficient investment and maximize incentive effects of the editorial department. At the same time, there is also a need to inspire the sense of responsibility of reviewers as members of the academic community, which helps to ensure that reviewers have a stable and continuous willingness to review.
[Purposes] "Scientific Journal Academic Forum" is the first professional academic conference in the field of journals held by National Science Library of Chinese Academy of Sciences in 2022, which focuses on the development and influence enhancement of journals. This paper aims to summarize and sort out the expert reports of this conference to form a more complete review, so as to provide references for researchers and practitioners of scientific journals. [Methods] Starting from each topic section, this paper summarized more than 20 reports from the "Scientific Journal Academic Forum" in terms of the main issues and challenges concerned by each section, methods, and suggestions or measures. [Findings] In the "Scientific Journal Academic Forum", as the first academic feast, the reports comprehensively cover the current issues of influence enhancement and evaluation in the field of scientific journal. [Conclusions] In the face of the challenges in the new development environment, scientific journals should pay more attention to quality construction, enhance the connotation, improve quality from the essence of journal evaluation, integrate into knowledge service platforms, and enhance their influence.
[Purposes] This paper aims to propose measures for revealing the operation mode and optimizing the communication structure of WeChat official accounts for scientific journals, and break through the bottleneck limiting the current development of the WeChat official accounts. [Methods] Through a literature and network survey, we summarized the current problems of scientific journals in building the communication structure of WeChat official accounts and analyzed the necessity of optimizing the communication structure. [Findings] Based on their own resource advantages, scientific journals can optimize the communication structure of WeChat official accounts, and activate the private area flow by operating the accounts from multiple perspectives, so as to achieve high-quality dissemination of graphic and text content. Breaking the barriers between WeChat official accounts, video channels, and livestreaming to reach public area flow is conducive to the wide dissemination of video content. [Conclusions] Optimizing the communication structure of WeChat official accounts helps scientific journals boost the communication and influence of the WeChat platform, build a complete ecological chain for presenting scientific research results, win the stock game of WeChat official account development, and realize the high-quality dissemination of content.
[Purposes] By analyzing the hotspots and frontier trends of research on authoritative international science communication journals in 2020-2022, this paper grasps the hot concerns, problem characteristics, and coping paths in the practice of international science communication and provides a reference for the development of Chinese science communication journals and the construction of Chinese-style and modern science popularization theories. [Methods] R and CiteSpace softwares were used to conduct bibliometric analysis on the papers of Science Communication and Public Understanding of Science extracted from the Web of Science and Scopus databases. According to the text analysis of the Journal of Science Communication, research hotspots of international science communication journals were explained. [Findings] From 2020 to 2022, international science communication research focuses on the theory and practice of citizen participation in science communication and attaches importance to the reflective practice research on science communication under the background of diversity, locality, and cutting-edge technology. [Conclusions] Research in the field of international science communication tends to be more diverse, inclusive, reflective, and responsible. Chinese science communication journals urgently need to strengthen international exchanges and mutual learning on the basis of domestic development, so as to promote the scientific transformation of the communication mode and construct a Chinese-style and modern science popularization theory and practice system.
[Purposes] This paper constructs a four-dimensional evaluation framework for academic journals from a discourse perspective to promote innovation in the theory and practice of discourse and journal evaluation. [Methods] This paper used literature research, comparative analysis, and other methods to sort out the current situation of journal evaluation studies in China and abroad, defined the concept of discourse and academic discourse, discussed the formation mechanism of academic discourse, and proposed a four-dimensional evaluation framework for academic journals and strategies to improve the discourse of academic journals on this basis. [Findings] Academic journal discourse is made up of five discourse-forming elements: subject, content, object, channel, and effect, which cooperate and interact with each other. The evaluation can be developed from four dimensions: guidance, originality, influence, and communication. The evaluation methods can be innovated in terms of four aspects: data acquisition, data analysis, model construction, and model application. [Conclusions] Multi-dimensional, multi-element, multi-indicator, and multi-method fusion evaluation of academic journal discourse is an inevitable choice in the big data environment. In order to enhance the discourse of academic journals, it is necessary to establish academic status, tap into hot areas, set up a diversified and multi-dimensional communication pattern, keep up with global challenges and changes in demand, and build an academic discourse system with Chinese characteristics.
[Purposes] Continuously improving academic organizational strength and leading academic development are not only requirements for the high-quality development of academic journals in China but also the mission and responsibility of academic journals. This paper aims to explore the important role of building an academic community in improving the quality of journals in the shift from academic achievement carriers to academic leadership. [Methods] Starting from defining the concept of the academic community, this paper analyzed the elements making up the academic community, clarified the connotation of the academic community, and studied the existing practices with academic journals as the core community in organizing academic conferences, planning topics, and gathering talents and popularity. [Findings] The paper summarizes the new characteristics presented in the current practice of running academic journals and clarifies that building an academic community with academic journals as the core, strengthening the construction of academic organizational strength, and demonstrating academic leadership can be not only theoretically constructed but also practically operated, which can promote the high-level and high-quality development of academic journals. [Conclusions] Academic journals, due to their natural academic attributes, should become the core organizers of the academic community. This is not only an inevitable choice for creating high-quality academic journals but also a result of the development laws of academic journals.
[Purposes] This paper investigates the current status of media convergence matrices in Chinese scientific journals and provides recommendations for enhancing their communication capabilities. [Methods] Through online research and literature analysis, we analyzed the environment surrounding media convergence matrices in Chinese scientific journals. Meanwhile, we conducted a thorough investigation via online questionnaires in four areas including content, communication platform, live broadcasting, and operation and maintenance. [Findings] The findings demonstrate that China has provided a sound policy environment, technical foundation, and reliable channel support for integrating scientific journals into the media. Journals have made significant progress in constructing media convergence matrices in content, communication platforms, live broadcasting, and operation and maintenance. However, there are still certain challenges, including the limited variety of content and communication methods, the shortage of media talents, and inadequate design and administration of the entire media convergence ecosystem. [Conclusions] The construction of media convergence matrices for Chinese scientific journals should expand media communication channels, improve media knowledge skills, and enrich media knowledge service products. Additionally, a pathway for media convergence development is proposed to build a robust media convergence communication ecosystem for scientific journals.
[Purposes] This paper aims to contemplate and explore the feasibility of constructing world-class scientific journals in China within the framework of Chinese-style modernization. [Methods] The relevant progress was analyzed and the key points were summarized through literature research, online research, and case study. [Findings] The construction of world-class scientific journals in China in the context of Chinese-style modernization should focus on their discourse power, influence, and dissemination power. "Chinese style" represents the political background and cultural logic of constructing world-class scientific journals in China, while "modernization" signifies the underlying value framework; "modernization" is the path to achieving the "Chinese style". [Conclusions] We need to enhance the discourse powder, influence, and dissemination capabilities of excellent Chinese scientific journals in the world through multiple measures, technology-driven initiatives, and the facilitation of dialogue and communication, so as to drive and support the construction and high-quality development of world-class scientific journals in China within the context of Chinese-style modernization.
[Purposes] This paper summarizes the methods for discovering papers with scientific misconducts, hoping to provide references for journals to manage scientific misconducts and enhancing research integrity. [Methods] According to the retraction statements of 1834 papers on Web of Science from universities in China which were retracted for scientific misconducts, we through scientometrics methods, content analysis, and text measurement, analyzed the ways to find the scientific misconducts, investigation process, implementers of the retraction, and reasons for the retraction. [Findings] Third-party reporting is the main way for the discovery of scientific misconducts, and retractions are usually initiated by the editors-in-chief or editors of the journal after investigation and verification by the journal's editorial boards or publishers. The main reasons for retraction are fake peer review and plagiarism, and the reasons tend to be more complex and diverse. [Conclusions] Journals and publishers should provide special reporting channels and protect the privacy information of whistleblowers. Moreover, they should improve the criteria and policies for the retraction and develop a unified writing norm for retraction statements. In addition, efforts should be intensified to improve the paper check and review mechanism, strengthen the check and punishment, and pay attention to frequent, unusual, and proactive retractions.
[Purposes] From the perspective of bounded rationality theory, this paper puts forward a theoretical framework for the influencing factors of improper authorship in scientific journal papers, so as to provide references for the construction of scientific research integrity and academic norms. [Methods] Through questionnaire surveys and data statistics, the actual performance, causes, and influencing factors of improper authorship in scientific journals were studied. [Findings] The model of influencing factors of improper authorship in scientific journals from the perspective of bounded rationality theory is verified, and the results show that academic literacy and academic environment as constraints have a significant impact on improper authorship behavior. [Conclusions] To enhance research integrity and academic norms in China, it is suggested that in addition to strengthening academic ethics education, reforming the scientific research evaluation systems, and clarifying the responsibilities of academic journals, it is necessary to pay attention to the refinement and standardization of authorship guidelines in scientific journal publications, explore "supply-side" reforms by academic journals to address improper authorship behavior, and clarify the strategies of journal editors in dealing with such behavior.
[Purposes] Based on the Retraction Watch Database, the current situation of academic misconduct in scientific images is investigated, and descriptive analysis is conducted to provide data support for scientific research management departments to formulate policies. [Methods] "image" was used as the keyword of the "Reason(s) for Retraction" field, and all data related to academic misconduct in scientific images from the Retraction Watch Database were obtained. Combined with the journal partition table of Documentation and Information Center of Chinese Academy of Sciences, the data were coded and compared in terms of Chinese and foreign authors, publishing institutions and journals, and unit types and regions. [Findings] There is a serious situation of academic misconduct in scientific images among authors in China, which is currently at a high incidence period and presents the characteristics of discipline concentration, regional concentration, and institution-type concentration, thus seriously affecting the academic image of Chinese authors. [Conclusions] It is recommended to build an academic publishing image database at the national level, put efforts into developing image detection technologies, establish an academic publishing ethics alliance, develop a communication mechanism between journals and authors and units, as well as the alliance and regulatory agencies, and efficiently report academic misconduct. It is also necessary to promote the change of unreasonable assessment systems, eliminate the motivation for scientific image fraud from the source, carry out education on academic misconduct in scientific images in hospitals and medical schools, and establish punishment mechanisms.
[Purposes] This paper aims to analyze the problems existing in the 370 withdrawal statements of CNKI, Wanfang, and Weipu and puts forward countermeasures, so as to provide a reference for standardizing the content and releasing form of the withdrawal statements of Chinese academic journals. [Methods] This paper retrieved all the withdrawal statements of the three Chinese academic journal databases from their inception to December 31, 2021, and analyzed their annual distribution, withdrawal time delay, database distribution, content, reasons, tagging of withdrawal papers, and cited frequency of withdrawal papers. [Findings] The number of withdrawal statements reached a peak (98) in 2020. The number of withdrawal statements of CNKI, Wanfang, and Weipu respectively was 123, 164, and 231. The longest withdrawal time delay was 268 months. The writing of withdrawal statements was not standardized in aspects of title, text, and signature. The most reason for withdrawal was academic misconduct (301). In three databases, only 86 withdrawal papers of CNKI were marked with "withdrawal". 102 papers were completely deleted from the databases, and 302 available papers were cited 2687 times. [Conclusions] Chinese academic journal databases need to make withdrawal statement templates and standardize withdrawal statement releases. The editorial departments should standardize writing and management of withdrawal statements. The databases should strengthen cooperation between themselves and with the editorial departments. The relevant departments should establish releasing website for withdrawal statements and increase supervision of databases and editorial departments.
[Purposes] This paper aims to elucidate the recent advancements in intelligent research pertaining to text and data mining in scientific journals in China and abroad and explore strategic solutions for the intelligent development of text and data mining in scientific journals. [Methods] We conducted literature retrieval in English databases, including Web of Science (SCIE, SSCI, and ESI), ScienceDirect, Elsevier, as well as Chinese databases such as CNKI from 2019 to 2023 to investigate the progress on intelligent research in text and data mining in scientific journals in China and abroad. Moreover, we explored the intelligent development directions of text and data mining in scientific journals and provided suggestions for strategic solutions in this field. [Findings] At present, the current state of intelligent research on text and data mining in scientific journals abroad reveals significant progress in various areas, including topic planning, preprints, literature evaluation, peer review, as well as model exploration and methodologies. However, Chinese scientific journals face challenges such as insufficient technology integration capability, inadequate publishing practices, imprecise text data extraction, and incomplete intelligent algorithms and logic. Therefore, it is necessary to strengthen the basic layout of text and data mining, promote integrated development, encourage research on publishing practices, conduct in-depth mining of text and data, and further build complete text and data mining rules for scientific journals. [Conclusions] The intelligent development of text and data mining in scientific journals can expedite and enhance researchers' access to abundant scientific literature information, providing deeper insights and research directions. However, further research and practical exploration are still needed to develop technical application solutions in this field.
[Purposes] This paper aims to explore the differences in download volume and cited frequencies between cover papers and non-cover papers in core journals of journalism and communication studies, and to provide references for improving the communication and influence of academic journals in the field of journalism and communication. [Methods] An empirical study was conducted on the download volume and cited frequencies of 450 cover papers and 821 non-cover papers published in four core journals of journalism and communication studies, namely Journalism & Communication, Chinese Journal of Journalism & Communication, Modern Communication (Journal of Communication University of China), and Journalism Research in 2018 and 2019. [Findings] The performance of cover papers in the four journals is generally significantly better than that of non-cover papers in terms of download volume, total cites, cited frequencies in core journals, and cited frequencies in core journals of non-journalism and communication studies. There is a positive correlation between download volume and all citation indicators. [Conclusions] Cover papers can help enhance the influence of academic journals. Journalism and communication journals should pay attention to selecting cover papers, improve cover design integration, expand the channels of disseminating cover papers, increase efforts in social media promotion, and explore the integration of multimedia publishing to enhance the academic influence of cover papers and journals.
[Purposes] Effective peer review can accelerate the publication of research achievements, academic exchanges, and scientific dissemination. In order to speed up scientific exchange, the journal publishing circles in China should improve the evaluation system.[Methods] Through literature research, this paper summarized the problems of the peer review system, and analyzed the characteristics, advantages, and disadvantages of eLife's latest publishing mode—eLife assessment.[Findings] eLife assessment is a reform of the current paper review system, which captures the major conclusions of the review in a concise manner accessible to a wide audience, restores authors' autonomy, and allows for interactive comments and revisions at any time after the publication.[Conclusions] With reference to eLife assessment, China's journal publishing industry can reform and innovate the paper review system, by thinking twice papers with controversial conclusions of peer review before the rejection, adopting open peer review, establishing a real-time evaluation and revision mechanism for papers, exploring a journal evaluation system based on the quality of papers, and building a strong editing team with discipline background.
[Purposes] In the context of running world-class scientific journals, it is important to rebuild and close the relationship between scientific journals and academic communities, build an academic community with journals as the core, and attract outstanding talents to join the publishing team, so as to run high-quality scientific journals. [Methods] By analyzing the relationship between scientific journals and academic communities, this paper took the journal group of the Publishing and Media Group of China Coal Research Institute (CCRI) as an example and expounded on the paths and effects of scientific journals in establishing an academic community. Meanwhile, it was pointed out that as the link between them, editors should play more roles in strengthening the cohesion of academic communities. [Findings] To gather excellent talent resources, the Publishing and Media Group of CCRI has established more than 30 academic communities by focusing on the establishment of editorial committees, youth editorial committees, peer review expert teams, and special editorial teams, supplemented by the establishment of academic exchange organizations with the author and reader resources as the core. By inviting members of the academic community to deeply participate in journal publishing activities, collaborating on academic activities, jointly planning hot topics for publication, and opening new columns, the academic community of the journal has been well operated, and publishing capabilities have been effectively improved. [Conclusions] The academic community is an important force for running journals. Editorial offices should pay attention to the establishment and operation of the academic community of journals, explore the win-win development mode between them, and jointly promote the high-quality development of journals.
[Purposes] By analyzing the performance of different disciplines and publishing institutions in open access (OA), this paper proposes some measures to accelerate the OA publishing of scientific journals in China. [Methods] Based on the 2021 Journal Citation Report, this paper collected the data of OA journals and papers from different disciplines and publishing institutions and selected some representative mega OA journals as cases to explore the development and evolution of OA journals and papers. [Findings] The rapid development of the OA publishing pattern of journals included in JCR has led to a proportion of 19.2% of OA journals and 29.8% of OA papers included in SCIE in 2021. There are significant differences in the OA publishing scale across different disciplines, with the highest proportion of OA papers in multidisciplinary sciences, reaching 83.5%. The median impact factor of OA journals in 20 major disciplines is higher than that of non-OA journals. The paper output of 35 mega OA journals (over 3000 papers per journal in 2021) accounts for 37.1% of the total papers published in all 1852 OA journals, which shows strong commercial operation capabilities. The number of OA journals and papers rapidly grows in both traditional international commercial publishing institutions and OA publishing institutions, and Nature Publishing Group has basically transformed from subscription publishing to OA publishing. [Conclusions] In an open science environment, China scientific journals need to strengthen the exploration and practice in policy and mechanism support for OA publishing, construction of OA publishing and dissemination platform, publishing and operation of mega OA journals, pricing and payment mechanism of paper processing charge, and OA publishing standards for journals published in Chinese.
[Purposes] This paper aims to explore the characteristics of the manuscript review process and the implementation of the three-review system by investigating the current situation of the manuscript review process of scientific journals in China, so as to provide a basis for improving the manuscript review process of scientific journals. [Methods] From August to September 2022, by using a questionnaire survey and analysis method, 131 scientific journals supervised or sponsored by various institutions in Shandong Province were selected as journal samples, and editors from scientific journals in China were selected as editor samples. The network questionnaires were distributed to investigate the basic information of each journal, the manuscript review process, and the composition of review panels. [Findings] A total of 127 questionnaires from scientific journals in Shandong Province and 161 questionnaires from editors of scientific journals in China are collected. At the provincial and national levels, the majority of journals (61.42% and 52.80%) adopts a four-step manuscript review process of "preliminary review-peer review-re-review-final review", and only 6.30% and 4.35% of the journals follow a three-step process of "preliminary review-re-review-final review". In terms of preliminary reviewers, the editors with intermediate professional titles constitute the largest proportion of scientific journals in Shandong Province and nationwide (59.06% and 56.52%, respectively). In terms of the re-review process, editors with senior professional titles or above account for the highest proportion at the provincial level (68.50%), while peer review experts are predominant at the national level (59.01%). In terms of final review, chief editors of scientific journals at the provincial level hold the highest proportion (90.55%), while editorial directors/executive chief editors of scientific journals hold the highest proportion (47.20%) at the national level. Furthermore, 96.06% of scientific journals in Shandong Province and 96.27% of nationwide scientific journals include peer review process in the review process, with double-blind review being the most common method. [Conclusions] The review process and reviewer composition of scientific journals are diversified based on the three-review system. Peer review is widely integrated into the review process of scientific journals, but there is a noticeable lack of coherence between peer review and the three-review system.
[Purposes] This study aims to analyze the legal, ethical, and social issues involved in the works generated by the generative artificial intelligence (AI) model (referred to as AI works) in the academic publishing field, so as to promote the rational application of generative AI in the academic publishing industry. [Methods] This study investigated and sorted out the literature on generative AI models in China and abroad, analyzed the responsibilities and risks of the responsible subjects of AI works, such as authors, AI model developers, and publishers, and initially put forward coping strategies and future innovative publishing modes. [Findings] AI cannot be the author of AI works. Most publishers believe that AI can be used in academic paper writing, but it is necessary to explain the use and utilization method of AI in the appropriate part of the text. AI works may have infringement of copyright and personal rights, ethical dilemmas, ethical conflicts, social injustice, and other social issues. Publishers should insist on manual verification and content review of AI works and work with authors, AI model developers, and regulatory authorities to promote the healthy development and rational application of generative AI. [Conclusions] AI works will inevitably lead to the transformation of the scientific research creation and publishing industry. Publishers must adhere to the manual review of AI works and encourage original output, so as to promote the high-quality publication of scientific research achievements.
[Purposes] Based on the experience of the cooperatively running mode of Light: Science & Applications and the independent starting mode of Light: Advanced Manufacturing, this paper provides references for the transformation of international journals in China from "borrowing ships to sea" to "shipbuilding to seas", and helps domestic journals to realize independent and sustainable development. [Methods] Combining the two journals' founding experience, we summed up the experience so as to compare and analyze the advantages and disadvantages of cooperatively running journals and independently starting journals from the aspects of improving academic influence, serving country's scientific and technological progress, and journal operation experience. On this basis, we proposed some thoughts on the transformation of scientific journals from "Chinese products" to "Chinese brands" in China. [Findings] At present, the mode of cooperating with international publishers to run journals is mature, and have achieved remarkable results in the international arena; the road to self-publishing is long and difficult, and is still in the stage of exploration and strengthening construction, but initial results have been achieved. [Conclusions] Building high-quality English journals and academic publishing platforms with independent intellectual property rights is crucial for the sustainable development of scientific journals in China. It is also the path that Chinese scientific journals must take to strive for self-improvement. The journal industry needs to persevere and strive forward.
[Purposes] In order to strengthen the construction of international first-class journals in universities and enhance the discourse power of university scholars in the international academic field, this paper probes into the level of China's international academic influence from the perspective of hosting international first-class journals and serving on the editorial board, so as to provide suggestions for university scholars to deeply participate in the construction of international academic community. [Methods] Taking the first district journals of Chinese Academy of Sciences Journal Division Table as research objects, this paper classified the current status of the international first-class journals hosted by universities and university scholars in the editorial board and senior editorial board in 11 natural science subjects. Based on China's global status and comparison analysis of the journals, editorial board, and senior editorial board of China and the United States, gaps and shortages in China were found. This paper also put forward the advantaged and disadvantaged subjects of the university editorial board. [Findings] The global proportion of China's hosting of international first-class journals and editorial board appointments is relatively low, which is far behind the United States, especially in medical science. Chinese editorial board and senior editorial board mainly come from universities. In the field of computer science, China's editorial board and senior editorial board have made significant contributions, but their contribution is smaller in biology. [Conclusions] Universities should further strengthen the cultivation of high-quality journals and high-level talents such as editorial board of high-quality journals to promote the in-depth participation of Chinese scholars in the construction of the international academic community, so as to better lead the development of subjects and enhance the international academic influence.
[Purposes] This paper aims to study the current situation and existing problems of editing and publishing academic papers by editors of scientific journals in colleges and universities, and put forward strategies to enhance their writing skills and academic level. [Methods] A questionnaire survey was conducted to investigate the experiences, quantity, awareness, and improvement suggestions of editors of scientific journals in publishing academic papers, as well as the policies of affiliated colleges and universities. The problems and reasons were analyzed and summarized. [Findings] The majority of editors lack a strong awareness and attach low importance to publishing papers. The average annual publication quantity and the proportion of high-quality papers published by editors are generally low, with limited collaboration among multiple units or institutions. There are relatively few relevant journals, and their publishing capacity is limited. The subjective reasons on the part of the editors themselves have hindered effective research in editing and publishing. The support from colleges, universities, and publishing institutions in terms of promoting and publicizing editing and publishing research, project funding, and rewards needs to be strengthened. [Conclusions] It is suggested to enhance the initiative of editors in conducting academic research, establish research teams and cooperative platforms, carry out training and lecture activities on editing and publishing, improve editors’ academic literacy, writing skills, and academic level, select appropriate journals for submission, and increase support for the research on editing and publishing, so as to promote high-quality research outcomes and drive the high-quality development of journals and the construction of "double first-class" colleges and universities, thereby better serving national strategies and meeting industry needs.
[Purposes] This article aims to summarize the development trend of research on measuring journal interdisciplinarity and the influence of journal interdisciplinarity on journal evaluation. It provides an overview of research content and progress in journal interdisciplinarity. [Methods] By using the core database of Web of Science and CNKI database to search the literature related to the interdisciplinarity and evaluation of journals, as well as screening and analyzing the important literature, the journal interdisciplinarity and its influence on journal rankings or journal evaluation indexes were systematically reviewed. [Findings] The influence of journal interdisciplinarity on journal evaluation or journal rankings varies across different disciplines, with interdisciplinary journals having an advantage in journal rankings in some disciplines. In contrast, other interdisciplinary journals are at a disadvantage in journal rankings, and in some disciplines, journal interdisciplinarity has no significant influence on journal rankings. [Conclusions] When evaluating interdisciplinary journals or using journal rankings for academic evaluation, researchers should take corresponding measures based on the actual situation in different disciplines.