Evaluating Mexican Science Magazines in the

Digital Age

Nestor Daniel Martnez-Domnguez

Universidad Autnoma Metropolitana-Azcapotzalco

Ivonne Lujano-Vilchis
Universidad Autnoma del Estado de Mxico
 Science magazines are one of the main materials for
the public communication of science and technology
(PCST).

The digital age provides new tools for science

communication.

In Mexico there are programs -derived from science

policies- to support scholarly journals and science
magazines.

The
How main
have publishing
some Mexican support for the caseincorporated
science magazines of science
magazines
the strategiesisofprinted version.
the digital age to disseminate its content?
A brief history of Science Magazines in Mexico

1960: beginning of formation of science communicators in Mexico.

1960-1970: The first science magazines were published in Mexico:

Fsica (Physics) subsequently Avances y perspectiva

called Naturaleza (Nature);
Ciencia y Desarrollo e
Informacin Tecnolgica
(Science and Development and
Technological Information)
(Advance and perspective)
Cuadernos de Nutricin
(Nutrition Notebook)

Ciencias (Sciences) Cmo ves? (How do you see?)

Chispa (Spark) El faro (The LightHouse)

 In Mexico, science magazines are published primarily with
public funds.

Science magazines have different targets, scopes and

audiences; however:
1996: Creation of the Mexican
SCIENCE POLICIES

Index of Research on Science

and Technology Journals
Different communicative goals
(IMRC).

2012: Creation of the Mexican Similar evaluation criteria

Index of Popular Science and
Technology Magazines
(IRMDCT)

What is the concept of science magazines

for Conacyt?
The IRMDCT includes science magazines that have gone
through an evaluation process. The evaluation criteria is
divided in 5 categories:

1. Content:
- Editorial policy
- Editorial board (director, translators, designers, etc.)
- Focus, scope and sections
- 75% unpublished texts (50% articles, 25% other science journalism
texts -interviews, chronicles, reports, etc.)
- Dissemination of scientific research developed in Mexico
- Scientific concepts presented in a creative way

2. Review
- Editorial team
- Referees
(specialists in communication of science: journalists, scientists, science
communicators from different institutions)
- Quality of manuscript (relevance, originality, writing style, resources)
3. Publication and distribution
- Uninterrupted publication for, at least, three years
- Publication frequency: every four months (minimum)
- Distribution in Mexico according to the target audience
- Subscriptions and sales

4. Formal aspects
- ISSN, number of legal certificate
- Author guidelines
- Colophon
- Table of contents

5. Indexing services

When a magazine is indexed, they receive ~US$ 6,000

from Conacyt that must be allocated to the production,
editing and distribution of its contents.
Science magazines are not just printed, many of them are
published online, so...

Why doesnt the IRMDCT consider

the digital age practices in these
evaluation criteria?
The Mexican Internet Association (2015) refers that, in
2014 there were almost 54 million of Mexicans who had
access to Internet, with an average of more than six hours
of daily connection.

Does the digital age go beyond the traditional

editorial practices of science communication?

Which are the functions of the science magazines in

the digital age?
We consider it is necessary to reformulate the science
magazines evaluation process, because:

A. Publishers have an active role in promoting

interactions, connecting ideas and embracing
innovations.

A. There is a growing trend of Internet users, who can get

involved in the process of science communication (e.g.
citizen science).

A. The main goal of science communication in the digital

age is to expand the reach of research to end-users so
it is customized to their diverse needs and presented in
a simple and engaging way (Jain, 2014).
In october 2015 we checked over the online version of
the 19 magazines included in the IRMDCT, mainly to
find out:

1. General characteristics of its website

(appearance, functionality, usability)

1. Information update (news, current information)

1. Use of multimedia resources (videos, infographics,

podcasts, etc.)

1. Interactivity and communication with the public

(social media, feedback )
Results
Graph 1. Number of printed magazines
 Graph 2. Access type

14
Graph 3. Use of social media tools
Graph 4. Use of multimedia resources
Graph 5. Mobile version
 Main common problems

- Lack of science publishing training.

- Low academic and financial incentives to editors and

science communicators.

- Low budget and subordination to institutional

agendas.

- Few long-reach projects that exceed the temporary

barriers of institutional administrations.
 Challenges

- Creating social reading experiences.

- Strategies to generate audience feedback.

- Creativity!
 Review

The greatest challenge of the digital age for science

communication is to shift from the broadcast model,
where a network or magazine broadcasts information,
to a conversation model, whereby someone
generates information and others comment, share, and add
to it.

Because anyone can comment, blog, or tweet, the online

conversation dilutes expert voices.

(Luers & Kroodsma, 2014)

 Review
1. A digital publication is not synonym of the
printed version in PDF format.

1. It is not just a matter of uploading files online, but

rather make them dynamic, measure their
impact, making them interchangeable
(interoperability), complement them, etc.

1. Making a digital publication involves the use of

communication strategies in the digital age
(social media, apps, media resources, blogs).
 Conclusions
Despite the fact that all the Mexican science
magazines included in the IRMDCT have an online
version, publishers are not taking advantage of all the
tools that are available in the Digital Age.

The consequence is that many publishers are just

providing information, rather than generating more
interaction.

Reading practices in the Digital Age are changing

and publishers have to consider it.
 Conacyt needs a critical review of the IMRDCT

Professional training to science magazine editors.

Formation of multidisciplinary groups (editors and

science communicators).

Incentives for science communicators by funding

agencies.

Include the science communication activities as an

evaluation criteria within assessment programs of
Mexican researchers.
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 Thank you!
ivonne.lujano@gmail.com nestordmd1@gmail.com

@ivonnelujano @nesdaniel

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