MRS Electronic Publishing Survey Shows Diversity of Preferences

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MRS Electronic Publishing Survey Shows Diversity of Preferences A questionnaire on electronic publishing issues and preferences was circulated at random to attendees during the Materials Research Society 1995 Spring Meeting in San Francisco. A total of 160 forms were completed, providing a reasonable basis for deriving information about the wishes and interests of MRS members on several topics important to MRS planning for electronic publishing activity. The numerical results have been converted into percentages of the number of respondents, and appear in the sidebar. The numbers speak for themselves. The items in the second question were ranked in order of their mean voting score, and

that score is given for each item. It is perhaps surprising to note the strength of demand for MRS Meeting Abstracts and the MRS Proceedings in electronic-format, and the relative lack of interest in conversion of Journal of Materials Research.

The second and third questions seemed to reveal a conservative priority for the basic aspects of e-format access, and less excitement over new options such as multimedia and color. Interest in personal subscriptions to e-format publications was strong. The responses on format and technical systems and software display the broad diversity that characterizes our future

readers. Nothing is standard. We will need to hope that this community also is versatile and ready to receive new products on their merits. This is probably a reasonable presumption, especially in light of the evidence during this event of a good level of informed readiness to explore the possibilities for electronic publications, and readiness to make adaptations if necessary. This attitude is reflected in the response on author's format, where only 6% objected to the publisher requesting submission of articles in a specified language. JOHN BAGLIN

Electronic Publishing Task Force Publications Committee

Electronic Publishing Survey Results LEADING QUESTION Would you like to have an optional electronic format (e.g., on-line or CD-ROM) available for delivery of: 45% MRS Bulletin; 35% jMR; 60% MRS Proceedings; 61% Meeting Abstracts; 52% Materials Databases? IMPORTANT CONSIDERATIONS Please rate the importance of the following items/features associated with electronic publications. (I = IMPORTANT, 2 = NICE, 3 = NOT IMPORTANT) (This list has been re-ordered by rank. Mean scores are displayed.)

1.20 Keyword search/retrieval 1.28 No reduction in editorial/peer review standards 1.41 Maintain high resolution for micrographs 1.42 Printed version continues to be available 1.44 Adequate printing on basic laser printer (e.g., high-resolution file options) 1.48 Faster publication 1.52 Convenient browsing software (e.g., for a journal issue or book) 1.55 On-line search/retrieval/reprint order service to include other publishers 1.63 Improved accessibility of MRS Proceedings series 1.63 Speed of download/display 1.65 Hyperlinks (e.g., import referenced articles directly)

1.77 1.78 1.80 2.08 2.15

Advance access to Meeting Abstracts Copyrigh