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 Periodical article |
 Leiden University catalogue |
 WorldCat |
| Title: | Digital publishing and Open Access for social science research dissemination: a case study |
| Authors: | Gray, Eve Horwitz Van Schalkwyk, François  Bruns, Karen |
| Year: | 2007 |
| Periodical: | Africa Media Review (ISSN 0258-4913) |
| Volume: | 15 |
| Issue: | 1-2 |
| Pages: | 22-57 |
| Language: | English |
| Notes: | biblio. refs. |
| Geographic terms: | South Africa Africa |
| Subjects: | publishing electronic resources social sciences research centres Publishing and Book Trade electronic publishing Electronic publications |
| Abstract: | This case study charts the planning and implementation of a digital publishing programme over a three-year period at the Human Sciences Research Council, a large South African social science research body. This paper places the case study in the context of research dissemination in South Africa and Africa in general, and reviews new publishing approaches, including electronic publishing and Open Access. It then charts the three phases of the consultancy - investigation, recommendations and implementation - and, at each stage, examines successes and failures; the problems encountered; and how they were addressed. It deals with the following challenges faced by African scholarly organizations wanting to use digital media to disseminate their research findings: finding the right strategy, copyright model and business plan; selling this strategy to the research community; finding the right mix of technologies; managing the technical and organizational process; and ensuring effective promotional and distribution strategies. The findings of the study stress the importance of the strategic choices made. In particular, the HSRC found that it could use digital media to build the reputation of the organization. The Open Access copyright model adopted allows for the accessibility of primary source information, while at the same time couching and developing the reputation of the organization. The case study also examines how applicable its findings are to other countries in Africa. Bibliogr., sum. in English and French. [Journal abstract, edited] |
