แนวคิดหลัก
The use of author initials versus full names in scholarly publications has shifted over time, reflecting broader technological and societal changes in research communication.
บทคัดย่อ
The content explores the evolution of author name representation in scholarly publications, tracing a shift from the predominant use of initials in the mid-20th century (the "Initial Era") to the increasing adoption of full names in more recent decades (the "Modern Era").
Key highlights:
- In the early years of formal scholarly communication (17th-18th centuries), the inclusion of author names was not always deemed essential, with many publications omitting this information.
- A "Developmental Era" from 1665 to 1950 saw a gradual increase in the use of full author names, interrupted by a sharp transition around 1798 as the number of scholarly journals proliferated.
- The "Initial Era" from 1945 to 1980 was marked by the dominance of initials over full names, likely driven by factors like technological constraints and societal norms.
- The "Modern Era" from 1980 to present has witnessed a steady and rapid shift back toward the use of full author names.
- Geographic and disciplinary analyses reveal nuanced patterns, with some countries and fields exhibiting distinct preferences for initials or full names.
- The evolution of author name representation reflects broader changes in research practices, collaboration, and the technological landscape of scholarly communication.
สถิติ
The number of papers published per year increased from 288 in 1798 to 517 in 1799, a tripling of output.
The modal average number of authors per paper shifted from single authorship to two co-authors around 1958.
The number of papers with over 100 co-authors began to increase significantly in the late 1970s.
คำพูด
"The research article, viewed technologically, is a significant construct, with a long-standing history of shaping social norms and establishing institutions that extend their influence across the research community, irrespective of disciplinary boundaries, geographical locations, or historical periods."
"The interaction between technology and its consequent influence over its users and communities is a well-documented phenomenon; however, possibly due to the long-lived and slow-changing nature of its underlying format, the research paper stands out for its persistence over the centuries."