I have been thinking about how midwives can publish their research. In the front of my mind has been the question: is there a need for an open access international midwifery journal ie a journal that is available online for readers to access without having to pay a subscription charge.My analysis of open access midwifery journals has shown there is a limited choice for midwives and the market could probably cope with a journal that focuses on open access as a primary aim and managed as such. On the other hand, the Australian College of Midwives journal "Women and Birth" meets my needs - it is open access, has a very credible editorial board and review process led by Professor Kathleen Fahy. The only drawback is that it does not have the same international profile as some of the subscription midwifery journals.
So where does this leave me...and midwives. I do not have the time or energy at the moment to drive the development of an open access journal. And in view of the excellent work that is already happening with "Women and Birth", I am going to recommend that midwives support this journal. If we support it with our work, the journal's profile will increase on the international stage.
What journal would you prefer to publish your research in? If you are a midwife or student who has never published an article before, what support would you like to help you do this?
Image: 'road trip journal' lecates
http://www.flickr.com/photos/23688516@N00/307250887
6 comments:
Thanks for highlighting the Women and Birth journal which I was unaware of previously. It looks excellent. I would certainly consider publishing there.
Yes, Carolyn, so am I. I understand the review process is very rigorous. The minimum qualification you need to be a reviewer is a PhD.
Sarah, I am thinking about a wiki in which midwives could publish under cc-licences. Each midwife/author or a group of them could choose a certain licence individually/collectively. Peer-review is possible within a wiki. Sure, there are no minimum qualification requirements which will influence rigour. However, it could be a start:
It is easy to establish, cheap and we could install several language layers. Will send you my thoughts in detail which I brought into a strategy paper. What do you think...could a wiki be an alternative to begin with?
Michaela
Hi Michaela, a wiki is a fabulous idea. But I have to confess, as an academic, my main concern would be about the credibility and peer review process. I'm thinking...how would a wiki sit within the system of journal credentialing such as the Australian ERA?: http://www.arc.gov.au/era/era_journal_list.htm
Dear Sarah,
Great Job. I was looking for some resources for my faculty. I am sure this would be a good starting poit.
Dr. Usmani, Dow Medical University, Pakistan
Glad to be of help, Dr Usmani. Are there any resources you have come across that I have not listed here?
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