Editorial

Abstract

Welcome to volume 20(2) of the Journal of Agricultural and Food Information. This issue presents four peer-reviewed studies on a range of interesting topics, which might inspire your own research questions. In their paper, “Bibliometric profile of an agbioscience research enhancement grant program,” Aldridge and Diekmann lead us through an analysis of the 515 journal publications produced over an 18-year period with internal funding from the Ohio Agricultural Research and Development Center. Their methodology provides a valuable template for information professionals interested in gaining insights into researchers’ venues for publications and their collaborators, among other topics. “Dissemination, access, preservation: A case study of publications from the Organic Agriculture Research and Extension Initiative [OREI]” is an analysis of the 733 publications reported by researchers awarded funds during the first five years of the OREI (fiscal years 2004–2008). Peer-reviewed publications are not the primary dissemination venue for these scientists. Access to and preservation of these outputs generally diminishes over time, particularly for the born-digital gray literature of conference abstracts, posters, presentations, and extension and agricultural experiment station publications. Ganpat et al. discuss, in “Caribbean plant quarantine officers’ self-perceived competencies and training needs for regional food security,” their survey of 108 officers from 23 Caribbean countries. The work of these officers is critical in protecting these nations from exotic plant pests and pathogens. The study provides the results of a needs assessment, and identifies topics for additional, regionally-adapted training. In “Pesticide residue awareness among students and employees in the University of Jordan, Jordan,” Alananbeh and Hayajneh present the results of a university-wide survey. They find that science-literate, 35-year-olds and younger, have the greatest awareness levels, and argue for better extension education efforts about pesticides, their proper application, and concerns about residues for farmers.