Aspects of the publication cycle of physical scientists in some Nigerian universities

Abstract

This study examines the sequence of communication activi ties connected with the production of a journal article by physical scientists in some Nigerian universities. The results show that 32% of the recent journal articles were based on the content of theses or dissertations, which may suggest that publication by Nigerian university scientists is considerably driven by degree requirement. The average duration of the publication cycle beginning from the initiation of research to the publishing of a journal article is 45 months. A duration of this magnitude may be attributed to constraints in research and publication, especially lack of equipment and information. In fact, the duration of the communication activities which are independent of these constraints is the same as that obtained for physical scientists elsewhere. It is also observed that the role of scientific meetings, correspondence and exchange of offprints or reprints in the dissemination of scientific informa tion is remarkably important to the Nigerian scientists.