Deficiencies of scientific information access and output in less developed countries

Abstract

AbstractThe problems of scientists working in “less developed countries” (LDCs) have recently attracted considerable attention, as has their low level of scientific output This article presents an examination of the editorial evaluation of papers which LDC authors are able to produce, in an attempt to illuminate their problems through analysis of their output. LDC authors are shown to experience far higher rejection rates than authors in developed countries (57% vs. 17%) and to be faulted on specific points which tend to indicate that their major problems are those of maintaining current awareness. It is thus indicated that the problems LDC researchers experience in accessing scientific information are a major factor in inhibiting the quality and quantity of their own scientific information output.