[afro-nets] The Journal of Infection in Developing Countries (JIDC), open access and free is on line

["Salvatore Rubino" <rubino@uniss.it>]

The Journal of Infection in Developing Countries (JIDC), open access and free is on line at http://www.oloep.org/jidc/index.asp

Editorial

A new journal with a new approach to research in developing countries

There are hundreds of bio-medical journals published at the national or international level, most accessible via the internet. So why is a new journal on infection in developing countries necessary?  Existing journals cover all aspects of human, animal and environmental microbiology, epidemiology, infectious disease and public health, and frequently deal with neglected infections in neglected regions of the world, yet it is difficult to access research data from developing countries.

The main reason for launching  the Journal of Infection in Developing Countries (JIDC) is that it is strongly supported by scientists from developing countries.  The concept for this journal was conceived in a forum hosted by the open learning web site, http://www.oloep.org/, in which several scientists, from both developing and developed countries, initiated discussions regarding a new journal with an emphasis on science from developing countries. Scientists throughout the world aim to publish in journals which are respected by their peers, but scientists in developing countries find it very difficult to publish their relevant work in any highly-rated journals.

The reasons for this are thought to be two-fold: " Financial: Authors have insufficient funding to pay the page charges of the higher t-rated journals " Research fashion: Data which is of "local interest only" is not within the remit of the journal.

Likewise, scientifically sound papers are being rejected by the editors because they are not written "properly". Furthermore, papers are rejected due to the unmet demands of Western based reviewers for application of the latest experimental techniques which is impossible in resource poor countries.

Since the initial discussions, scientists have supported the JIDC with enthusiasm, suggestions, advice, and through manuscript submission. The JIDC is not simply a journal, as it also meant to provide all infectious disease researchers from developing countries with an international forum for publishing their research findings.

We hope the Journal will be of broad interest to medical and clinical microbiologists, virologists, parasitologists, mycologists, immunologists, epidemiologists, pharmacologists, clinicians and public health workers. Furthermore, we hope that students pursuing a research career will find high quality materials in the review section that will aid in their studies and thesis preparation. The JIDC's innovative manuscript mentoring system is new in the scientific world of publishing and is the most exciting aspect of the project. The editorial board is committed to help authors improve the chances for success of a manuscript by advising on all aspects of the paper. There is a huge workload involved in such tutorship, and this process requires direct interaction between authors and experienced reviewers and mentors.

The JIDC has an ethical code which we believe in passionately. An important document on the ethics of scientific writing is available on the Journal web site, outlining the potential violations including deliberate falsification of scientific data, plagiarism, duplications or overlapping publications and authorship.

The Journal has is registered in the ISSN and as soon as possible will be listed in one of the major databases for scientific publications. The Editorial board is comprised of scientists from all continents with the majority from developing countries and representatives from almost 50 nations. The editorial board is committed to actively participating in the growth of the Journal as a high quality resource.

One criticism which has been put forth is that the JIDC may further divide the scientific world of the developed and developing countries. This will only occur if the JIDC becomes a second rate journal that only publishes poor papers. If we can elevate the science within the journal to the standard of the arguments used to create it, such a division will not be manifest. A subject of "local interest" is important if local means developing countries.

The Journal is open to all collaborations, and actively anticipates the creation of new networks through its scientific forum.. To this end, the JIDC will organize meetings, workshops, seminars, and on-the-job training opportunities.  Understandably, these efforts will require financial support and donations.

Finally, with this first issue hosted on the OLOEP web site, the JIDC is becoming a reality and a new star in the sky.  Now it is up to the readers to judge the work and to submit papers for future issues.

Salvatore Rubino
Editor-in-Chief

Piero Cappuccinelli (Italy)
Salih Hosoglu (Turkey)
David J. Kelvin (China)
Peter Mason (Zimbabwe)
Iruka Okeke (USA)
Abiola Senok (United Arab Emirates)
John Wain (United Kingdom)
Editors

Mark Cameron (Canada)
Rajni Gaind (India)
Alfonso J. Rodriguez-Morales (Venezuela)
Associate Editors

Nikki Kelvin (Canada)
Technical Editor

Tulsi D. Chugh (India)
Chairman, Mentor Commitee


--
Prof. Salvatore Rubino
Dip. di Scienze Biomediche
V.le San Pietro 43/b
07100 Sassari (Italy)
Tel: +33 79 228302
Fax: +33 79 212345
Cell: +33 83865292
mailto:rubino@uniss.it