Scholarly Communication Ecosystem
nounPronunciation: /ˈskɑːlərli kəˌmjuːnɪˈkeɪʃən ˈɛkoʊsɪstəm/
The interconnected system of stakeholders, platforms, and processes through which academic knowledge is created, reviewed, published, disseminated, and accessed within scholarly communities. It includes traditional publishers, open access initiatives, peer review systems, preprint servers, and emerging digital platforms.
Plain English
The network of publishers, journals, databases, and online platforms that academics use to share and discover research.
Etymology & History
Usage
"Libraries are advocating for systemic changes to the scholarly communication ecosystem to reduce costs and expand open access."
Style guide notes: Use lowercase unless part of a specific named initiative; emphasize the systemic, interconnected nature when discussing.
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Related Terms
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the main challenges in today's scholarly communication ecosystem?
High journal subscription costs, limited open access, inequitable access for developing nations, and slow publication timelines.
How are librarians reshaping the scholarly communication ecosystem?
By promoting open access publishing, supporting institutional repositories, negotiating fair agreements, and educating authors about publishing options.
Why Test Candidates on This?
Increasingly important in academic librarianship certification, particularly in scholarly communication and systems change modules.
Required skill level: Senior