Australian scholarly journals: a situation report

In early 1987 a sample of Australian journals in the natural and social sciences was surveyed to examine their editorial procedures, costs, revenues, marketing, production methods and general well-being. The survey has shown that many scholarly journals admit to problems with management and marketing, and do not cover their costs. Most journals are increasingly subsidized by members of their parent Societies or from other sources, and their longer-term future is unclear. The separation in most Societies of the policy, editing and financial functions is thought to contnbute to this situation, which in many cases is simply not yet recognized by those closest to it.