Communication Avenues
Scientists have many options for sharing information.
| Format | Timeliness | Review Process | Preservation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Conference Proceedings | Presented immediately, sometimes published 1-2 years later | Possible peer-review | Limited record, often only abstract |
| Listserv/Email | Immediately shared | No formal peer-review process | No formal preservation |
| Blog Posting | Immediately shared | No formal peer-review process | No formal preservation |
| Pre-print Database | Immediately shared | No formal peer-review process | Depends on database server and procedures |
| Scholarly Journal | Timely but not immediate, avg 3-9 months | Formal peer-review process | Preserved by libraries and publishers |
| Book | Very slow, avg 1-3 years | Editorial process, not peer-review | Preserved by libraries and publishers |
You will learn more about these formats in the next few sections.