Speaker: Paul Ginsparg
Affiliation: Los Alamos National Laboratory
Date: 4/3/01
Time and Location: 4:30 PM, B11 Kimball Hall
Title: Creating a Global Knowledge Network
Abstract: 

If we were to start from scratch today to design a quality-controlled archive and distribution system for research findings, would it be realized as a set of "electronic clones" of print journals? Could we imagine instead some form of incipient knowledge network for our research communications infrastructure? What differences should be expected in its realization for different scientific research fields? Is there an obvious alternative to the false dichotomy of "classical peer review" vs. no quality control at all? What is the proper role of governments and their funding agencies in this enterprise, and what might be the role of suitably configured professional societies? These and other rhetorical questions will be
considered in light of recent experience, followed by some electronic architectural considerations.