The life cycle of information can differ based on a scholar's field of research. Scientists value standards of practice that influence how they produce and share their work.
The methods for producing science information will impact
...how it is published and communicated, which in turn affects
...what format it is published in and
...where you can find it.
With the information you find, you will need to know the best ways to incorporate its concepts into your research and to provide appropriate attribution so that you can produce information,
...and the cycle begins again.
All references to the science information life cycle are based on the fabulous tutorial created by the University of California Irvine Libraries Department of Education and Outreach, "Find Science Information Online Workshop."
Scientists have many options for sharing information.
|
Format |
Timeliness |
Review Process |
Audience/Access |
|
Conference Proceedings |
Presented immediately, sometimes published 1-2 years later |
Possible peer-review |
Limited - fellow scientists almost exclusively; publication access varies and may require professional affiliation |
|
Listserv/Email |
Immediately shared |
No formal peer-review process |
Limited - fellow scientists almost exclusively; typically inaccessible to general audience |
|
Blog Posting |
Immediately shared |
No formal peer-review process (potential exceptions may emerge) |
Fellow scientists primarily, though openly accessible to general audience |
|
Scholarly Journal (Article) |
Timely but not immediate, avg 3-9 months |
Formal peer-review process |
Fellow scientists primarily, students and researchers; some open access though many available only via subscription (library pays for database access) |
|
Book |
Very slow, avg 1-3 years |
Editorial process, not peer-review |
Wider audience, though specialized to science interests; comprehensive and/or narrowed specialized topics typically expensive, available in library collections |
The above has been modified based on material created by the University of California Irvine Libraries Department of Education and Outreach, "Find Science Information Online Workshop."