The notion of scientific authority in the publishing of research: evolution of forms, changes of authority?

Abstract

: Some practices of scientific text creation were known since 13 th century, however it is generally recognized that scientific book publishing started with invention of typography. That’s when scientists got the opportunity to make reference to printed media in order to back-up and build their research. Through centuries the authority belonged to academicians and members of scientific organizations consolidating professionals in information distribution, such as librarians and information search system operators. In the late 1900s economic dictate of large commercial publishing houses began to do more and more harm to science. Digital technologies development led many scientists to the Web where they headed network scientific publication projects intended to free the researchers from commercial editors’ yoke. Electronic devices use started the process of revision of scientific authority mechanisms, giving the authority back to those who make science. There is one step from open access to open science and prospects of renewed authority: collective and cooperation based.