Electronic publication

[David S. Stodolsky]

Full paper to be posted shortly:


Consensus Journals:
Invitational journals based upon peer consensus

Computer networks open new possibilities for scientific communication 
in terms of quality, efficiency, and rapidity. The current project is 
developing a method of scientific communication that has the economy 
of invitational journals and the objectivity of journals based upon 
the peer review. That is, all articles are published and the reader 
benefits from article selection based upon impartial refereeing. An 
additional benefit of consensus journals is that the negotiation 
process, that typically occurs prior to publication, is automated, 
thus saving efforts of participants. 

All readers are free to submit reviews that evaluate articles on 
multiple dimensions. A statistical procedure is used to identify the 
most knowledgeable representative of consensus positions and these 
referees are invited to submit articles that justify the review 
judgments they have submitted. A major advantage of this approach is 
the ability to develop reputation without article publication. 

The method includes a protection mechanism based upon pseudonyms, 
that substitutes for the protection of anonymous review typical with 
scientific journals. This reduces the potential for irresponsible 
behavior and facilitates reputation development.  The level of 
quality enhancement is superior to that achievable with anonymous 
peer review.

Eliminating the need for an editor and the delay associated with 
conventional refereeing makes message quality enhancement available 
in systems for educational and business environments.


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David S. Stodolsky                  Office: + 45 46 75 77 11 x 21 38
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