10th Anniversary Special Issue "PUBMET2023 Conference on Scholarly Communication in the Context of Open Science"

A special issue of Publications (ISSN 2304-6775).

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (3 March 2024) | Viewed by 19434

Special Issue Editors


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Guest Editor
Faculty of Food Technology and Biotechnology, University of Zagreb, Zagreb, Croatia
Interests: peer review; open science; scholarly publishing

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Guest Editor
Department of Information Sciences, University of Zadar, Zadar, Croatia
Interests: scientific communication and information literacy; user-centred system design; information search systems

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Guest Editor
1. Department of Information Sciences, University of Zadar, Zadar, Croatia
2. Ruđer Bošković Institute, Zagreb, Croatia
Interests: scholarly communication; open science; research assessment

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

We are celebrating the 10th anniversary of the PUBMET conference and the 10th anniversary of the Publications journal. To mark these two significant anniversaries, we are organizing this Special Issue to share research findings, best practices, and experiences in implementing open science.

PUBMET2023—The 10th Conference on Scholarly Communication in the Context of Open Science will be held from 13 to 15 September 2023 at the University of Zadar, Croatia. It will once again bring together researchers, information and communication specialists, librarians, editors, publishers, teachers, students, research funders, policymakers, repository managers, and other stakeholders involved in scholarly communication to discuss the current changes, developments, and advancements in scholarly communication from the perspective of open science.

We are very pleased to continue our collaboration with Publications, following last year’s successful PUBMET2022 Special Issue.

This year, we accept submissions covering the following topics:

  • The brave "new" world of institutional publishing—open access publishing affordability for authors/institutions and service providers;
  • The growing importance of libraries in the open access and open science era;
  • Research efficiency, effectiveness, and performance in the light of the reform of research assessment;
  • Open peer review: models and benefits;
  • Power of preprints—changing the publishing landscape;
  • Responsibility, ethics, and inclusiveness in research and publishing;
  • Truth and misconceptions in scholarly communication;
  • Role of open science infrastructure in promoting open science;
  • FAIR principles and digital objects;
  • Artificial intelligence in scholarly communication;
  • Training, education, awareness raising, and building capacity for open science;
  • Environmental awareness and sustainability in scholarly communication.

You are cordially invited to submit your full paper to contribute to this special celebratory issue. All manuscripts will undergo an independent peer review process. Please see the details below.

We look forward to receiving your submissions and seeing you at the PUBMET2023 conference in the beautiful city of Zadar!

Iva Grabarić Andonovski
Dr. Nikolina Peša Pavlović
Dr. Jadranka Stojanovski
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. After registration, click here to go to the submission form.

Manuscripts can be submitted until 30 November 2023.

Submitted manuscripts (research articles, review articles, and short communications) should not have been published previously nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere. All manuscripts are thoroughly evaluated through a single-blind peer review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for the submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as they are accepted) and will be listed on the Special Issue website.

The article processing charge (APC) for publication in the PUBMET2023 Special Issue will be fully waived after editorial approval. Submitted papers should be well-formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • open access publishing and service providers
  • open science infrastructure
  • research efficiency and assessment
  • preprints and preprint servers
  • open peer review
  • responsibility, ethics, and inclusiveness in science
  • FAIR principles and digital objects
  • artificial intelligence in scholarly communication
  • environmental awareness and sustainability in scholarly communication

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Published Papers (8 papers)

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Research

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22 pages, 2618 KiB  
Article
Is This the End of Anthropology as We Know It? Some Implication of FAIR Principles on Tales in Ethnological and Anthropological Qualitative Research
by Olga Orlić
Publications 2024, 12(4), 42; https://doi.org/10.3390/publications12040042 - 12 Nov 2024
Viewed by 503
Abstract
Open science, accessibility and knowledge sharing, especially of articles and monographs stemming from publicly funded research, seem to be moving in quite a positive direction toward scientific development and have received almost unanimous approval from the scientific community. However, when it comes to [...] Read more.
Open science, accessibility and knowledge sharing, especially of articles and monographs stemming from publicly funded research, seem to be moving in quite a positive direction toward scientific development and have received almost unanimous approval from the scientific community. However, when it comes to data sharing, the existing practice reveals a different picture, and not exclusively a discipline-dependent one. FAIR principles are developed and promoted as guiding tools for creating contextualized standards. The fact that data obtained by a qualitative methodology deserve special attention and treatment regarding the accessibility principle is recognized. Although FAIR principles provide ways to anonymize the data and interlocutors, individuals coming from smaller communities or even communities of practice can sometimes be easily recognized by members of the same community if data are openly accessed. Sometimes the interlocutors might agree with these terms, but sometimes they do not. According to the disciplinary code of ethics, a researcher is obliged to thoroughly describe the ways of the raw data management and usage, and in the case of mandatory raw data sharing (e.g., for receiving funding), it can inevitably impact the narratives collected. The prerogative to make all data open inevitably leads to autocensorship among interlocutors, i.e., resulting in a kind of FAIRy tale being collected. The article discusses the results obtained from the survey carried out among Croatian ethnologists and cultural anthropologists about the currently practiced data sharing, their attitudes about data sharing and their perceived behavior in hypothetical situations connected with data sharing. The results show mixed opinions about data sharing and a desire to follow the disciplinary code of ethics first, i.e., to follow the interlocutors’ wishes in the case of data management and usage. Full article
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29 pages, 826 KiB  
Article
Practices and Attitudes of the Research and Teaching Staff at the University of Split about the Online Encyclopedia Wikipedia
by Mirko Duić
Publications 2024, 12(3), 20; https://doi.org/10.3390/publications12030020 - 11 Jul 2024
Viewed by 1346
Abstract
The goal of this study was to investigate the practices and attitudes of the research and teaching staff at the University of Split (Croatia) about the online encyclopedia Wikipedia. The method of a questionnaire-based survey was used to gain insights related to this [...] Read more.
The goal of this study was to investigate the practices and attitudes of the research and teaching staff at the University of Split (Croatia) about the online encyclopedia Wikipedia. The method of a questionnaire-based survey was used to gain insights related to this topic. During February 2024, the survey was completed by 226 respondents. The results show that almost all respondents read Wikipedia articles and believe that the level of their accuracy is quite high. Almost half of the respondents strongly agree with the statement that it would be desirable for faculty staff to write Wikipedia articles with the aim of spreading knowledge about topics from their professional fields. However, a very small number of respondents participated in writing articles for Wikipedia. Also, the respondents answered that to them, the greatest motivations to write articles on Wikipedia would be if this activity were evaluated for the advancement to a higher work position and the correction of errors in Wikipedia articles. It was also found that most respondents are not very familiar with how Wikipedia works or how to add new content to it. These and other insights from this study can be used to conceive and initiate various activities that can contribute to greater participation of scientific and teaching staff of higher education institutions in writing quality content on Wikipedia, as well as activities that can contribute to a better familiarization with the principles and procedures to write and enhance its content. Other research methods, such as interviews with scientific and teaching staff of higher education institutions, could be used to acquire further, more detailed answers related to this topic. Full article
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7 pages, 747 KiB  
Article
Towards an All-Ireland Diamond Open Access Publishing Platform: The PublishOA.ie Project—2022–2024
by Jane Mahony
Publications 2024, 12(3), 19; https://doi.org/10.3390/publications12030019 - 24 Jun 2024
Viewed by 2896
Abstract
The Government of Ireland has set a target of achieving 100% open access to publicly funded scholarly publications by 2030. As a key element of achieving this objective, the PublishOA.ie project was established to evaluate the feasibility of establishing an all-island [Republic of [...] Read more.
The Government of Ireland has set a target of achieving 100% open access to publicly funded scholarly publications by 2030. As a key element of achieving this objective, the PublishOA.ie project was established to evaluate the feasibility of establishing an all-island [Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland] digital publishing platform for Diamond Open Access journals and monographs designed to advance best practice and meet the needs of authors, readers, publishers, and research funding organisations in Irish scholarly publishing. It should be noted in this context that there is substantial ‘north–south’ cooperation between public bodies in the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland in the United Kingdom, some of whom operate on what is commonly termed an ‘all-island’ basis. The project commenced in November 2022 and will run until November 2024, with the submission of a Final Report. This article originated as an interim project report presented in September 2023 at the PubMet2023 conference in Zadar, Croatia. The project is unique in its mandate to report on the feasibility of a shared platform that will encompass scholarly publishing across the two jurisdictions on the island of Ireland, which are now, post-Brexit, inside and outside the European Union (EU): the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland in the United Kingdom. The project is co-led by the Royal Irish Academy (RIA), Ireland’s leading body of experts in the Sciences and Humanities, and the Trinity Long Room Hub Arts & Humanities Research Institute of Trinity College Dublin. There are sixteen partners and affiliates from universities and organisations from the island of Ireland. The feasibility study will be based on a review of the publishing practices in the island of Ireland, with gap analysis on standards, technology, processes, copyright practices, and funding models for Diamond OA, benchmarking against other national platforms, and specifications of the requirements, leading to the delivery of a pilot national publishing platform. A set of demonstrator journals and monographs will be published using the platform, which will be actively trialled by the partner publishers and authors. PublishOA.ie aims to deliver an evidence-based understanding of Irish scholarly publishing and of the requirements of publishers to transition in whole or in part to Diamond OA. This paper provides an interim report on progress on the project as of September 2023, ten months after its commencement. Full article
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19 pages, 539 KiB  
Article
Research Data Management in the Croatian Academic Community: A Research Study
by Radovan Vrana
Publications 2024, 12(2), 16; https://doi.org/10.3390/publications12020016 - 15 May 2024
Viewed by 1664
Abstract
This paper presents the results of an empirical research study of Croatian scientists’ use and management of research data. This research study was carried out from 28 June 2023 until 31 August 2023 using an online questionnaire consisting of 28 questions. The answers [...] Read more.
This paper presents the results of an empirical research study of Croatian scientists’ use and management of research data. This research study was carried out from 28 June 2023 until 31 August 2023 using an online questionnaire consisting of 28 questions. The answers of 584 respondents working in science were filtered out for further analysis. About three-quarters of the respondents used the research data of other scientists successfully. Research data were mostly acquired from colleagues from the same department or institution. Roughly half of the respondents did not ask other scientists directly for their research data. Research data are important to the respondents mostly for raising the quality of research. Repeating someone else’s research by using their research data is still a problem. Less than one-third of the respondents provided full access to their research data mostly due to their fear of misuse. The benefits of research data sharing were recognized but few of the respondents received any reward for it. Archiving research data is a significant problem for the respondents as they dominantly use their own computers prone to failure for that activity and do not think about long-term preservation. Finally, the respondents lacked deeper knowledge of research data management. Full article
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14 pages, 1435 KiB  
Article
Application of ChatGPT in Information Literacy Instructional Design
by Jelena Madunić and Matija Sovulj
Publications 2024, 12(2), 11; https://doi.org/10.3390/publications12020011 - 15 Apr 2024
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 4166
Abstract
Recent developments in generative artificial intelligence tools have prompted immediate reactions in the academic library community. While most studies focus on the potential impact on academic integrity, this work explored constructive applications of ChatGPT in the design of instructional materials for courses in [...] Read more.
Recent developments in generative artificial intelligence tools have prompted immediate reactions in the academic library community. While most studies focus on the potential impact on academic integrity, this work explored constructive applications of ChatGPT in the design of instructional materials for courses in academic information literacy. The starting point was the use of openly licenced information resources or content infrastructure as facilitators in the creation of educational materials. In the first phase, course teaching material was developed using a prompt engineering strategy, predefined standards, and a prompt script. As a second step, we experimented with designing a custom chatbot model connected to a pre-defined corpus of source documents. The results demonstrated that the final teaching material required careful revision and optimisation before use in an actual instructional programme. The experimental design of the custom chatbot was able to query specific user-defined documents. Taken together, these findings suggest that the strategic and well-planned use of ChatGPT technology in content creation can have substantial benefits in terms of time and cost efficiency. In the context of information literacy, the results provide a practical and innovative solution to integrate the new technology tool into instructional practices. Full article
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12 pages, 717 KiB  
Article
FAIRness of Research Data in the European Humanities Landscape
by Ljiljana Poljak Bilić and Kristina Posavec
Publications 2024, 12(1), 6; https://doi.org/10.3390/publications12010006 - 5 Mar 2024
Viewed by 2953
Abstract
This paper explores the landscape of research data in the humanities in the European context, delving into their diversity and the challenges of defining and sharing them. It investigates three aspects: the types of data in the humanities, their representation in repositories, and [...] Read more.
This paper explores the landscape of research data in the humanities in the European context, delving into their diversity and the challenges of defining and sharing them. It investigates three aspects: the types of data in the humanities, their representation in repositories, and their alignment with the FAIR principles (Findable, Accessible, Interoperable, Reusable). By reviewing datasets in repositories, this research determines the dominant data types, their openness, licensing, and compliance with the FAIR principles. This research provides important insight into the heterogeneous nature of humanities data, their representation in the repository, and their alignment with FAIR principles, highlighting the need for improved accessibility and reusability to improve the overall quality and utility of humanities research data. Full article
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Review

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14 pages, 740 KiB  
Review
Benefits of Citizen Science for Libraries
by Dolores Mumelaš and Alisa Martek
Publications 2024, 12(1), 8; https://doi.org/10.3390/publications12010008 - 8 Mar 2024
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 3438
Abstract
Participating in collaborative scientific research through citizen science, a component of open science, holds significance for both citizen scientists and professional researchers. Yet, the advantages for those orchestrating citizen science initiatives are often overlooked. Organizers encompass a diverse range, including governmental entities, non-governmental [...] Read more.
Participating in collaborative scientific research through citizen science, a component of open science, holds significance for both citizen scientists and professional researchers. Yet, the advantages for those orchestrating citizen science initiatives are often overlooked. Organizers encompass a diverse range, including governmental entities, non-governmental organizations, corporations, universities, and institutions like libraries. For libraries, citizen science holds importance by fostering heightened civic and research interests, promoting scientific publishing, and contributing to overall scientific progress. This paper aims to provide a comprehensive understanding of the specific ways in which citizen science can benefit libraries and how libraries can effectively utilize citizen science to achieve their goals. The paper is based on a systematic review of peer-reviewed articles that discuss the direct benefits of citizen science on libraries. A list of the main benefits of citizen science for libraries has been compiled from the literature. Additionally, the reasons why it is crucial for libraries to communicate the benefits of citizen science for their operations have been highlighted, particularly in terms of encouraging other libraries to actively engage in citizen science projects. Full article
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Other

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8 pages, 1283 KiB  
Case Report
FAIR as a Journey: Lessons Learned from Building the GoTriple Discovery Platform for Social Sciences and Humanities
by Luca De Santis
Publications 2024, 12(3), 26; https://doi.org/10.3390/publications12030026 - 29 Aug 2024
Viewed by 716
Abstract
This report describes the experience in implementing the FAIR principles for the GoTriple Discovery Platform for Social Sciences and Humanities (SSH). It shows how adherence to FAIR should be considered as a continuous process throughout the entire lifespan of any information management system, [...] Read more.
This report describes the experience in implementing the FAIR principles for the GoTriple Discovery Platform for Social Sciences and Humanities (SSH). It shows how adherence to FAIR should be considered as a continuous process throughout the entire lifespan of any information management system, including GoTriple, rather than a static goal with decisions only made at the design time. This report presents an introduction highlighting the importance of the FAIR principles, indicating how they can be assessed in data management systems. Then, the GoTriple case is presented, with a general overview of this discovery platform before describing some of the implemented practices in support of FAIR. The Discussion Section shows, on the one hand, some virtuous reuse of GoTriple data, together with one major pitfall in the platform’s FAIR implementation. In this sense, this report serves as a case study that can offer insights and actionable advice for those implementing information systems aligned, from the very outset, with the FAIR principles. Full article
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