Continuous publication (CP)
Continuous publication (CP)
Each accepted article is published as soon as it is ready, without waiting for an issue to close.
Purpose
The main goal of continuous publication is to speed up the communication of research and thereby make it available for reading and citation sooner.
The model is essentially electronic. It is therefore not the best fit for journals that wish to keep the classic form of publication, with sequential pagination of articles within an issue. Journals that adopt continuous publication may keep only print on demand, without sequential pagination.
Continuous publication flow
1
Manuscript submission
The author submits the manuscript through the journal’s OJS system.
2
Review
Editorial screening and peer review, followed by the editorial decision.
3
Acceptance
The article is accepted for publication.
4
Production and final version
Preparation of the final version of the article (layout and XML).
5
Immediate publication of the article
The article is published individually as soon as it is finished, without waiting for the others. Sequential pagination is replaced by a unique electronic identifier (elocation-id, for example e51467).
6
Added to the current year’s volume
The article joins the volume or issue open for the year. An issue does not need to close for the next to open; SciELO recommends a single annual volume.
At year end
Published in the year
Stays in the current year’s volume
Publication takes place within the current year; the maximum anticipation is 6 to 8 months.
Not finished in the year
Moved to the following year
The article is published in the following year’s volume or issue. From November on, the next year’s volume can be opened.
Figure 1 – Continuous publication flow.
Rules of the model
01
No issue closing
All issues of the year may stay open and receive articles at the same time.
02
Electronic identifier
The elocation-id replaces sequential pagination within the issue.
03
Publish in the current year
Publishing “in the past” is not recommended; anticipation is at most 6 to 8 months.
04
No holding back finished articles
Finished articles do not wait to make up a full issue, even a thematic one.
Source: SciELO Brazil Continuous Publication Guide (wp.scielo.org/wp-content/uploads/guia_pc.pdf), adapted.
