A Positive Perspective on Moving Publication from Print to Online Only
By Jessica Lipowski
Publishing Editor at SAGE Publishing for STM Journals
The Internet has completely revolutionized our world as we know it. Everything we could possibly need is at the tip of our fingers. Whatever answer you may seek is often readily available by typing in a few key terms into a search engine like Google or a research database like PubMed. Research habits shift as new generations enter the workforce, and now many researchers and clinicians alike prefer to locate relevant studies online. While print journals are still very much in demand in certain disciplines, many are transitioning to publishing only digital versions. To date, approximately 3 percent of the journals SAGE publishes are published online only, while another 10 percent of our society titles converted to online only for their membership.
With a shift to publishing online only comes significant advantages. Financially, journals and publishers save in print, paper, binding and fulfilment costs. There is an acute shortage of printing and writing papers in the US and worldwide. As a result, printers and publishers are experiencing higher prices, delivery delays, and an allocation system for many papers that is insufficient to meet the demand. Plus, the United States Postal Service (USPS) has issued a rate increase of 2.52 percent, that came into effect in 2019. From an environmental impact perspective, a move to online only reduces the number of trees cut down, cuts down on the use of manufacturing chemicals, consumes less water, and requires less energy used to produce or ship. Publishers like SAGE still offer Print on Demand for those who may want or need the print copy, but overall, this shift to digital is a win-win-win for all parties involved.
Laurie Wilson, Managing Editor of Healthcare Management Forum, says, “The Canadian College of Health Leaders fully supports paperless publishing, and SAGE is the perfect partner to help us make this a reality for our journal. The dynamic platforms for knowledge exchange allow readers to access Healthcare Management Forum anywhere, on any device, and more easily share information with their colleagues. It also reduces paper consumption, so we can reinvest the savings to increase the number of editions we deliver each year.”
Furthermore, moving a journal to online only does not seem to deter success in the least. For example, American Journal of Lifestyle Medicine has been online only since 2014 and since has grown in society sponsorships. The journal is on a wonderful upward trajectory, notably with its acceptance into PubMed Central but also seeing growth internationally in terms of authorship and readership.
We also continually conduct market research to better understand how researchers are accessing journal content, to ensure we are meeting their needs. Much of the feedback we have received is in line with a shift to digital and helps all stakeholders, ranging from authors, researchers, editors, societies to publishers and institutions. SAGE is evolving with the digital revolution.
About
Jessica Lipowski is a Publishing Editor on the STM Journals Editorial team. She manages a range of science and medicine journals, working with editors and societies to develop new strategies and problem solve. During her time at SAGE, she has also worked closely with the Author team to create and develop resources to help early career researchers better understand the publishing process and publish their research. Jessica has a background in project management, marketing, business development, and self-publishing. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Journalism from Michigan State University and is currently based in Los Angeles.