Publishing and Publication

Publication refers to the act of circulating written results in order to disseminate and communicate these findings within academic and/or professional circles, or the broader public. Increasingly, scholarly publications are distributed electronically as well as in print. For researchers outside of academia, publications may be reports, articles in professional journals, or other avenues that disseminate research to colleagues, agencies, government institutions, or related bodies. For researchers within academia, the quality and sustainability of individuals, departments, and universities is largely based on publications in international refereed journals and books. A central part of being an academic researcher is publishing and disseminating results, often encapsulated in the mantra “publish or perish.” Publication prowess is furthermore often tied to funding opportunities and resource allocation in addition to providing substantial returns in terms of career mobility and recognition. This entry defines the central features of publishing and publications, with a focus on academia.