FIG Internal Task Forces
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In recent years, there is a growing activity of academics in FIG (e.g. – FIG academic members). One of the parameters in which the achievements of the academics is examined is the number and quality of their published articles, especially those that are indexed in abstracts and citation databases of peer-reviewed literature (e.g. Scopus, ISI).This issue is particularly important for scholars in their early stages of academic career.
8 years ago, FIG initiated the full peer-review channel for papers submitted to the annual FIGWW conferences and Congresses. Still, a concern was made (by numerous delegates and members) that the level of review is not sufficient, and perhaps more important, that these articles do not appear in the scholar databases, such as Scopus and ISI.
To overcome such problems, many international professional organizations have established peer-review journals designed to advance the knowledge in their field on the one hand, and allow professionals in general and academics in particular to publish peer-reviewed articles on the other hand. These journals initiated by the international professional organizations, are in spite the relatively large number of existing journals. Several examples are:
FIG, as the international Federation of Surveyors, should take its leading position, and establish its own high level peer-review professional and scientific journal.
Moreover, our academic members so far see not much benefit from FIG and therefore we need to activate them through this activity. Coordination with VP Pengfei Cheng who chairs the FIG 38th General Assembly Sofia, Bulgaria 17-21 May 2015 FIG Task Force on Scientific Journal 2 /3 academic forum will enable us to activate several members, in order to cover all fields of surveying even the emerging ones.
The aim of the Task Force is to evaluate all aspects of establishing a journal under FIG umbrella. Inter alia, the issues to be assessed are:
To discuss and analyze the issues listed in the previous chapter, and structure the way ahead and to bring recommendations to the GA in FIGWW' 2016 in Christchurch, NZ.
6 members:
Prof. Dr. Yerach Doytsher;
VP Prof. Dr. Pengfei Cheng;
VP Prof. Dr. Rudolf Staiger;
Prof. Dr. Charalabos Ioannidis;
2 more TBD
03/2015 - FIG council decision; Task Force is established 05/2015 – the TF will be presented in the FIGWW’2015 GA 06-12/2015 - relevant data to be collected, discussions among the TF members via emails FIG 38th General Assembly Sofia, Bulgaria 17-21 May 2015 FIG Task Force on Scientific Journal 3 /3 01-02/2016 - optional - face to face meeting of the TF members (probably at a council meeting) 02-03/2016 – preparing of final report and recommendations 03/2016 - FIG council decision on the report 05/2016 - the report and recommendations to be presented at the GA in Christchurch for acceptance
A summarized report and recommendations on the following: Report on the proven necessity Procedures to be followed for the establishment of the journal Necessary costs (for the establishment and annually in future) Times (time schedules of all steps and expected achievements) Responsibilities Action plan for the speeding of the procedure and the increased participation e.g., engagement of potential authors, FIG members, etc.
Prof. Dr. Yerach Doytsher
