The Role of the Primary Journal in Physics.

Science communication techniques are expected to change markedly in the next decade because of the developments on an international scale of coupled information systems in various scientific disciplines and technological missions. A change in techniques is also expected because of growing needs of users as well as of producers of science information. These changes will have profound effects on the principal formal mechanism of communication in the discipline of physics in the U.S.--the archival, primary research journal. The examination of possible changes in the role of U.S. journals reflects the financial and scientific experiences of the American Institute of Physics that publishes 87% of the primary research literature of U.S. physics literature and 35% of the world's physics literature. With financial support from the U.S. National Science Foundation, the Institute is undertaking the development of a National Information System for Physics that should provide scientists with more timely and facile access to the large well-organized central store of worldwide physics information. This access will be made possible by a variety of services and publications each responsive to the changing needs and interests of the many subdisciplines in the physics community. (Author/NH)