---------- Forwarded message ----------
Date: Thu, 29 Oct 1998 11:31:38 -0500
From: Albert Henderson <NobleStation@COMPUSERVE.COM>
Subject: Archival (D. Holland)

D. Holland at Biodynamics Engineering Information <info@BIODYNAMICS-ENG.COM> wrote:

> Hi - Would someone please be kind enough to explain to me EXACTLY what makes
> a journal archival? For example, the American Institute of Physics, in
> listing the serials they publish, lists some of the journals as Archival,
> some as Letters, etc. So what is the criteria that makes one an Archival
> Journal? THANK YOU IN ADVANCE,

The distinction of "archival" constrasts with "ephemeral"
and varies according to the particular field or discipline.

AIP's usage of "archival" probably means that papers are
refereed and meant to be full disclosure of method and
materials. Conference papers, abstracts, and maybe letters
or "rapid communications" are too short, may reveal
incomplete research, are unrefereed, etc. to be "archival."
There is also an idea that a letter will be superseded by
an "archival" quality journal article. [Studies in the
1960s found this only partially true.]

Most disciplines engaged in basic science take this view.

Interestingly, indexes and abstracts are probably not
considered "archival" in the above usage, even though
they have lasting as well as immediate value.

This has been my experience with the terminology, at
any rate.

Albert Henderson, Editor, PUBLISHING RESEARCH QUARTERLY
<70244.1532@compuserve.com>
.
.