altpeerreview

E-PRINT MODERATOR MODEL

from David Stern, Guide to Information Sources in the Physical Sciences (Colorado: Libraries Unlimited, 2000), pp. 168-171.

and reprinted from the Newsletter on Serials Pricing Issues No. 214 (Feb 8, 1999) ISSN: 1046-3410

The intent of this model is to allow the widest range of scientific manuscripts to be archived, searched,

and distributed electronically at the lowest possible cost. The primary goal is to significantly reduce

the amount of journal material distributed in a commercial manner. This would be accomplished through

very minimal filtering and subsequent placement of e-prints on a noncommercial archival server by a

subject-specific Moderator appointed by a society (or consortium of societies). It would function in

the manner of an online ERIC Clearinghouse.

A society-appointed Editorial Board (with double-blind peer review approved by the nonprofit Peer Review Inc.

organization) would then identify the most important materials from among these archived items, and the stamp

of approval for these items would be included in a secondary Virtual Collection. This Virtual Collection, or

other spinoffs such as enhanced abstracts, SDI services, and e-mail threads, would be easier to use for

browsing and/or having abstracts sent electronically to individual searchers.

There are no direct submissions to the Editorial Board; manuscripts would be directed to the Editorial Board in one of three ways:

1. nominated by the e-print Moderator upon receipt for the archive server;

2. notification sent to the Editorial Board when a threshold number of hits is generated by any one

manuscript on the archive server, and

3. nominated by readers of material from the archive; this process requires a letter of support

outlining the importance of the work to the Editorial Board.

The Virtual Collection could be produced as a variety of products:

� enhanced abstracts

� e-mail threads (with comments)

� virtual reviews of sub-disciplines

� SDIs (selective dissemination of information) current awareness too

This process:

� reduces the load on Editorial Boards, which results in a faster review process;

� differentiates those items worthy of higher recognition from those worthy of archiving, making it easier

for a reader to filter material based upon a society and discipline authority (rather than commercial

reasoning);

� provides for search and SDI across all materials from the archive the user desires speed or comprehensiveness; and

� provides for search/browse/SDI from the Virtual Collection for filter information, reducing this more

expensive identification and distribution option for only those items recognized as of the highest quality.

The funding for this archiving server and Virtual Collection infrastructure would come from a blend of

direct (professional societies and author page charges) and indirect (government, taxes) sources. This

would reduce the cost and guarantee the judicious selection of materials for the Virtual Collection.

The support of the Virtual Collection infrastructure could be provided by a blend of commercial and

noncommercial sources, depending upon the resale value of the eventual end products. Some disciplines

may be attractive for commercial support of editorial boards, while other areas may only have noncommercial

support. The sophistication of the end products may be related to the commercial viability of the content.

Promotion and tenure decisions would be based on both Virtual Collection and archival materials. This

step would significantly reduce the need to subsidize the most expensive distribution process as the only

means of meeting the publish-or-perish tenure process requirements.

The E-Print Moderator Model graphic is shown at E-Print Moderator Model image.

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NOTE: A related concept is that of separating commercial distribution from free distribution based upon levels of market factors.

This Tiered Pricing Model approach is described in greater detail in "Pricing Models: Past, Present, and Future?"

Serials Librarian 36 (1/2): 301-319 (1999).

David Stern

Library Director

Saint Xavier University

Warde Academic Center, L228

3700 West 103rd Street

Chicago, IL. 60655

Email: stern@sxu.edu

Phone: 773-298-3350

Fax:(773) 298-5231