ASSESSMENT OF GRAPHIC COMMUNICATION QUALITY OF UNIVERSITY-BASED ACADEMIC JOURNALS IN NIGERIA

Abstract

Journal quality is crucial to the academic reward system for tenure advancement and promotion. The study examined the graphic communication quality of academic journals published from Nigerian Universities, using descriptive survey approach with quantitative content analysis. The focus of the study was on publishing procedures, steered by editors anddissemination media comprising of electronic and print channels. 156 electronic-print hybridcurrent journals were sampled through convenience sampling technique and data collected withthe aid of questionnaire and observation instruments in the form of website evaluationworksheet and print rating guide. A list of 998 academic journals, published by 110 Nigerianuniversities was obtained from the International Centre of ISSN. Analysis of the list of 998 academic journals shows that journal publishing, which began in the Sixties, is concentrated among 14 universities, that are responsible for 44.2% of the total titles and that the number of titles is growing exponentially. There is also visible effort towards migration of content to electronic platform from early 2000 to date, evident in the increased number of eISSN issued and subscription to electronic indexes. Based on the survey of editors-in-Chief on the adoption of electronic publishing innovation to improve workflow reveals that majority of Nigerian university-based academic journals are yet to adopt integrated electronic publishing workflow technology for management of journal production. This also was shown in the record of low mean values on vital electronic production variables such as utilization of digital electronic review system, XML, subscription to replication archival system and indexing services. The electronic channel for content distribution was generally found adequate in web design attributes – site characteristics, layout and navigation. However, use of XML remained low and imitation of print high. The print, which has continued to be the major distribution channel in the face of rising global prominence of the electronic media, has high prevalence of defects in 12 attributes; moderate prevalence in 8 attributes and low prevalence level of print demerits in 9 attributes. Based on the findings of the Study, it was concluded that the graphic communication quality of academic journals published by Nigerian universities did not meet industry publishing standard therefore established the need for improvement on publishing procedures and deliverables.