The Roquade project: towards new models in scientific communication

Abstract

Due to a number of problems the traditional scientific journal has become an obstacle for efficient scientific communication. Several initiatives have been started to realise other ways of scientific publishing, using modern information technology. In several disciplines, however, a relatively large number of scientists still are reluctant to make use of completely new ways of publishing. The extraordinary aspect of the Roquade project is marked by the fact that it offers a variety of possibilities, which together constitute an expeditious way for gradually changing the publication behaviour of scientists. This project, initiated by the university libraries of the Dutch universities of Delft and Utrecht, aims at creating an infrastructure that conglomerates the swiftness of publication which hitherto could only be realised by grey publishing, with quality judgement without the serious delay of the traditional review procedures. Roquade offers a wide number of facilities to a broad audience, based on a common organisational and technical infrastructure. In the paper the philosophy and organisation of the project are described, as well as the first results.