arXiv and the Symbiosis of Physics Preprints and Journal Review Articles

Abstract:  New thinking needs to emerge about how to reform publishing along lines that best meet two perennial needs of scientific communication. This paper discusses a model that addresses these two needs with respect to physics. Given the considerable barriers that its realization in pristine form faces, the model aspires merely to be a heuristic or guidepost. It provides an analytical framework for criticizing aspects of the current publishing ecosystem, helps diagnose problems in current efforts to reform it, including those emanating from the open access movement, and raises consciousness about certain emphases that could gradually enrich scholarly publishing. Also, it suggests bibliometric research agendas, new or further work on which can help sharpen the views in the essay. [VERSION 2 , 5/19/2019; VERSION 3 PENDING.]