Communication Avenues

Scientists have many options for sharing information.

Format Timeliness Review Process Preservation
Conference Proceedings Presented immediately, sometimes published 1-2 years later Possible peer-review Limited record, often only abstract
Listserv/Email Immediately shared No formal peer-review process No formal preservation
Blog Posting Immediately shared No formal peer-review process No formal preservation
Pre-print Database Immediately shared No formal peer-review process Depends on database server and procedures
Scholarly Journal Timely but not immediate, avg 3-9 months Formal peer-review process Preserved by libraries and publishers
Book Very slow, avg 1-3 years Editorial process, not peer-review Preserved by libraries and publishers

You will learn more about these formats in the next few sections.