Critical issues facing LIS journals: An author's perspective

Abstract

Three of the critical issues facing library and information science (LIS) journals identifired by the Round Table of Editors of Library Journals are discussed from the perspective of an author resident in a less developed country (LDC) in which the library and information sector is undergoing significant change. (1) Coverage: the „filtering out' of articles submitted by authors from LDCs may not be as great a problem in LIS as in other fiekJs, but periodicals published in LDCs are impoverished by the tendency of their authors to publish in more prestigious foreign journals, which offer a greater likelihood of being read by their peers. (2) Language barrier and bias: speakers of languages which are widely used internationally are less likely to read articles in other languages because unfamiliariíy with terminology and conceptuai frameworks and with the legal and administrative context of library and information work in foreign countríes constitute real barriers. (3) Balance between theoretical and practical content: because academic authors are highly motivated to publish, their work tends to predominate in high-ranking journals. This is illustrated by the unintended consequences of the South African system of state subskJies awarded for the publication of articles in „accredited" journals. The paper concludes with a listing of the likes and dislikes of LIS authors.