Synopsis journals - Communication media for a transition period

Abstract

<span style="font-size:12.0pt; line-height:115%;mso-fareast-font-family:" times="" new="" roman";mso-ansi-language:="" en-us;mso-fareast-language:en-us;mso-bidi-language:ar-sa;font-style:normal;="" mso-bidi-font-style:italic"="" lang="EN-US">Rising costs of primary periodicals and increasing delays in the publication of scientific articles in them have created a crisis in communication. Paperless information systems have been suggested by some as a panacea. But it is contended that, for some time to come, print on- paper will continue to be the preferred communication medium for scientists. However, the present form of primary communication has to undergo metamorphosis to cope with the present situation. The merit of a synopsis journal, as the primary mode of communication, has been advocated and is supported. To give the idea practical impetus, standardization in the contents and format of synopsis journals is suggested. And a plea is made for the wider acceptance of the synopsis journal concept than has so far been achieved.</span>