Naga Scholars’ Association (NSA) organised a special lecture on “scholarly journals: changing landscape” on October 28 at School of International Studies, Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU), New Delhi.
Resource person, senior principal scientist NISCAIR New Delhi Dr. G Mahesh spoke on the role of NISCAIR on scientific communication which publishes 18 popular periodicals of high standing in academic circles. Discussing the evolution of journals, Dr. Mahesh further stated that as official organs and as medium of exchange for research among researchers and institutions, their publication started from societies and institutions and later it was taken over by publishing houses resulted in increase in the cost of journals.
He also said that the concept of “open access journals” was a recent phenomenon which was meant to overcome the costs of journals in order to benefit the scholarly community. He said that the payment for these journals was either borne by authors or their institutions.
The speaker also gave insights on different characteristics in publications of “open access journals”.
He further discussed about mega journal, video journal and wiki journal, which gave birth to data journal. The latest in the development is a repository of papers from which journals will select and provide link in Overlay Journal. The talk was followed by discussions and questions from participants.
Earlier, rapporteur of the programme was executive secretary of NSA, KK. Loung Nathan while the session was chaired by professor of library and information science, IGNOU, New Delhi, professor Jaideep Sharma.
NSA president, Dr. Zuchamo Yanthan started the session with a welcome address while introducing the activities and visions of NSA.