SCIENTIFIC PERIODICALS IN LATIN-AMERICA AND THE CARIBBEAN - A GLOBAL PERSPECTIVE

A global perspective is offered of the scientific periodicals produced in Latin America and the Caribbean. First, a brief historical backgro und lip to recent times is presented, to help explain the present situ ation of these publications. Comprehensive information on the journals produced in the region does not exist, our analysis rests therefore m ainly on some pertinent quantitative and statistical data derived from the information provided by the CLASE and PERIODICA databases produce d at UNAM, Some partial studies, as well as the results of journal eva luation processes that have taken place in a few countries of the regi on, provide useful complementary darn on a selection of titles. Some s alient features and problems of the scientific periodicals are discuss ed, such as their irregularity and fragility, their poor international visibility, and their scarce distribution and demand. The recently in troduced policies for the evaluation of domestic journals and of the p erformance of researchers in various countries of the region have had important consequences for the journals themselves, that point to the need to revise such policies, as discussed in this paper. Further, ref erence is made to recent initiatives from within the region to create instruments aimed at solving the most persistent problems confronted b y the journals, with the help of modern technologies, notably related to online information systems and electronic publishing. The paper con cludes by highlighting the need to perform in-depth studies on the jou rnals produced in the region, to develop standards and criteria for a proper classification and assessment of these journals, and to use the modern communication and information technologies more creatively for the benefit of science publishing.