Re: Copyright Extension Bill Passes Congress

On 23 Oct 1998, Michael Scarpitti <mscarpit[_at_]asnt.org> wrote:
>
> On Thu, Oct 22, 1998, Albert Henderson <noblestation[_at_]compuserve.com> wrote:
> >
> > On Tue, 20 Oct 1998, Edward Barrow <edward[_at_]plato32.demon.co.uk> wrote:
> > >
> > > As for changing the system of academic incentive, Professor Boyce
> > > has my support. The pressure to publish has produced far too much
> > > stuff which is never going to be read (and should probably never
> > > have been written) - but this is a discussion for another list.
> >
> > This reflects one of the more infamous myths of the academic world,
> > that "nobody reads" any research (but mine). Researchers have found
> > that journal articles average 1000 readings; university scientists
> > average 150 to 190 readings a year. Scientists that read more have
> > better productivity and performance records. Scientists are using
> > libraries more than ever, also, often to obtain articles they read
> > and discarded earlier. See the article by C Tenopir and D W King in
> > LIBRARY JOURNAL March 15, 1996:32-35.
>
> I have serious doubts about this.
>
> I complained months ago about poorly researched and poorly thought
> out articles written by even "famous" professors, full of logical
> gaps, misinformation, and lack of thorough research.

People like you and me still read; many are stimulated to write. Errors account for many citations aimed at criticizing rather than amplifying.

Albert Henderson, Editor, PUBLISHING RESEARCH QUARTERLY <70244.1532[_at_]compuserve.com> Received on Mon Oct 26 1998 - 19:14:18 GMT