Emerald | Aslib Proceedings

The need and viability of a mediation index in Latin American scientific production and publication: The case of the Redalyc System of Scientific Information

2012-01-13 00:00:00.0

Abstract

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to introduce the online information system Redalyc as an intermediary tool that provides Latin American scientific articles with international standards (mostly related to natural sciences and developed countries) as well as with specific areas to host local research. Design/methodology/approach – Redalyc is based on a semantic intersection model proposed by Russian semiologist Yuri Lotman. This model allows us to visualize the role played by Redalyc as a mediator between opposites, i.e. local science versus global science, and natural sciences versus social sciences. The paper presents some of the projects Redalyc has developed in conjunction with different countries and different scientific communities. Findings – The paper describes some characteristics that local projects, similar to Redalyc, must have in order to become an intermediary between scientific journal production indexes that link global parameters for scientific communication with local production. The paper finds that efforts should not only be centered on the development of strategies to change certain inertias that distinguish local social scientific production (e.g. dependence on literary resources, lack of recognition of periodical media), but also on the way they could help these disciplines and local media overcome certain barriers, namely: normalization, language and technological handicaps. Originality/value – The recognition of Latin American scientific production implies a dual process that not only involves local policies (scientific councils), but also requires producing reliable databases to provide scientists and journal editors with global references on how to produce visible scientific literature and pertinent knowledge for their contexts. Redalyc is currently a database that contributes in both ways.

Latin American scholarly journal databases: a look back to the way forward

José Octavio Alonso-Gamboa, Jane M. Russell — 2012-01-13 00:00:00.0

Abstract

Purpose – Scholarly journals from Latin America have aspired to reach an adequate level of visibility and impact not only locally, but also in the international arena. Editors have not been alone in this endeavour, other actors in the information chain have also played their part. This article aims to examine the databases (indexing and abstracting services, directories, catalogues and electronic journal portals) produced in Latin America between 1970 and 2009. Design/methodology/approach – The paper begins with an historical review of the relevant regional initiatives and leads up to an assessment of the present day situation by analysing the contribution made by the databases in the identification, register, visibility, access and use of Latin American scholarly journals. Findings – The creation of Latin American databases has improved communication and knowledge on publications in the region as useful additions to the scant information provided by international sources. The recent adherence to the principles of the Open Access movement has also potentially improved the visibility and access to publications from the region. Originality/value – This is the first study to analyse the development of Latin American databases over a period of some 40 years.

Organizing open archives via lightweight ontologies to facilitate the use of heterogeneous collections

2012-01-13 00:00:00.0

Abstract

Purpose – This paper seeks to focus on the problems of integrating information from open, distributed scholarly collections, and on the opportunities these collections represent for research communities in developing countries. The paper aims to introduce OntOAIr, a semi-automatic method for constructing lightweight ontologies of documents in repositories such as those provided by the Open Archives Initiative (OAI). Design/methodology/approach – OntOAIr uses simplified document representations, a clustering algorithm, and ontological engineering techniques. Findings – The paper presents experimental results of the potential positive impact of ontologies and specifically of OntOAIr on the use of collections provided by OAI. Research limitations/implications – By applying OntOAIr, scholars who frequently spend many hours organizing OAI information spaces will obtain support that will allow them to speed up the entire research cycle and, expectedly, participate more fully in global research communities. Originality/value – The proposed method allows human and software agents to organize and retrieve groups of documents from multiple collections. Applications of OntOAIr include enhanced document retrieval. In this paper, the authors focus particularly on document retrieval applications.

Web visibility or wasted opportunity? Case studies from Mexican research institutes

Jane M. Russell, Shirley Ainsworth, Janet Díaz-Aguilar — 2012-01-13 00:00:00.0

Abstract

Purpose – This paper aims to determine to what extent the scientific production and research activities of a group of National Autonomous University of Mexico (UNAM) research institutes in the sciences, social sciences and humanities are visible on the internet with a view to identifying areas where web presence is not optimal so improvements can be made. Design/methodology/approach – The authors do this by analysing the relevant information on their web sites and by comparing institutional listings of scientific production between 2005 and 2006, with papers reported in the international, multidisciplinary online services of the Web of Science and Scopus, as well as in Clase and Periódica which cover production in Latin American journals. Findings – Results indicate general poor visibility of research activities and production in the institutional web sites with only limited access to full text articles. Web sites of the institutes in the sciences score better than those in the humanities and social sciences where book publication is an important research output. The official publication lists in the form of annual reports were found not to accurately represent production with additional papers attributed to the different institutions appearing in commercial databases. It is suggested that more effort should be directed towards improving the information content and access to research data on these institutional web sites, possibly through linkage to an UNAM repository. Originality/value – This is the first study to critically examine the visibility of research on Mexican academic web sites for which a series of indicators related to the different categories of research information which would ideally be found on institutional pages were developed.

Long-term digital information preservation: challenges in Latin America

Juan Voutssas — 2012-01-13 00:00:00.0

Abstract

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to summarize the current situation of digital preservation and describe the additional main challenges and issues faced in Latin American countries within the framework of the factors of digital preservation. Design/methodology/approach – This paper reviews the literature on existing digital information preservation around the world, and then focuses on Latin American countries. It proposes a framework in which to analyze the situation in developing countries, particularly in Latin America, and summarizes the issues in six preservation factors and seven principles of preservation. Findings – The amount of digital information has increased geometrically without proper knowledge, theories, strategies, policies and proceedings to preserve it. Developed countries and regions have started to create this knowledge and know-how, as well as setting the basis to manage their digital collections within libraries, archives, and other organizations with the aim to preserve them in the long-term. The situation is radically different in Latin America where we found limited research and projects on digital preservation. Practical implications – The problem of the long-term authentic preservation of digital document collections is not a simple technology problem; it is a much more complex one. This paper summarizes the approaches to understand it but further study is required in order to develop a practical strategy and/or plan. It also highlights the importance of raising awareness of digital preservation in Latin America in order to ensure availability in the future. Social implications – Research, planning, initiatives and proper execution in regard to digital collections preservation is extremely limited in Latin American developing countries, thus endangering vast amounts of digital information. There is a serious risk that valuable digital information will not be preserved adequately for future generations. Originality/value – This paper reviews the main challenges for libraries and archives to preserve digital information over the long term and summarizes the main issues to understand and to thwart this problem. It also highlights the often overlooked problem of digital preservation in developing countries, in particular Latin America.

Finding support for disruption: developing a digital humanities project in Mexico

Ernesto Priani Saisó — 2012-01-13 00:00:00.0

Abstract

Purpose – This paper seeks to provide a description and reflection on some of the structural problems and challenges faced when developing a digital humanities (DH) project in a Mexican public university. Design/methodology/approach – As DH is a relatively new field and practice in Mexican academia, this article is based on a case study of developing the Biblioteca Digital de Pensamiento Novohispano (Digital Library of New Hispanic Thought). This is one of the few DH at the Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México (UNAM), the largest public university in the country. Findings – It was found that there were three central problems for developing a DH project in a Mexican public university: existing technical knowledge and abilities at the UNAM will be challenged by DH projects; projects are the place to train human resources in DH methodology; and researchers need to consider different long-term infrastructure and hosting solutions, with or without using institutional infrastructure, at the same time researches need to work within the institution to establish a specific policy for research projects. Practical implications – The paper concludes that the structure, goals and products of DH projects need to be modified and expanded in order to also consider alternative goals and products such as: proposals of institutional policy, creation of infrastructure and academic and student training. DH projects must be regarded as disruptive, that is that the project needs to assume rupture as a part of the project itself. Originality/value – The experience of innovation and disruption is not necessarily the same in all fields and all institutions. This article documents for the first time the particular experiences of a public university in a developing country with DH projects. It has been found that the delay in using computers in the humanities in Mexico has led to the development of a specific paradox: a gap between institutional interest and disposition in the use of computers in humanities, and the lack of DH culture in those who have to develop the project.

Developing and implementing digital publications and collections in academic environments: the perspective from a developing country

2012-01-13 00:00:00.0