PIE-J offers guidance to e-journal publishers and providers to help ensure that their content can be reliably discovered, cited, and accessed by users over time. This survey was created as a helpful tool for content providers to test the extent to which their e-journal platforms adhere to the PIE-J guidelines, highlight any weak areas, and serve as a catalyst for further internal discussion. The survey was also created to enable the PIE-J Standing Committee to identify questions and misunderstandings about the Recommended Practice, and to provide direction for the Committee to further promote PIE-J to the library community. The PIE-J Standing Committee will not publish the survey results or rank survey respondents in any way.

The 27 questions correspond to the 27 guidelines in the PIE-J Recommended Practice. Answers should reflect the provider’s current practice, not necessarily whether every single journal adheres to every guideline. If answering “partial,” please provide an explanation in the comment section.

As some questions are detailed and may require in-depth knowledge, a PDF of the survey questions is available. Additionally, the survey can be partially completed and continued at a later time, as long as you use the same computer and the same browser.

Upon completion of the survey, respondents will receive a score. Higher point values have been assigned to questions that the PIE-J Standing Committee believes are the most important tasks for providers to focus on. Point values are indicated at the end of each question.

Questions about this survey or about PIE-J can be directed to the Chair of the PIE-J Standing committee, Sally Glasser (email: sarah.glasser@hofstra.edu). The PIE-J Standing Committee greatly appreciates your time and input.

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* 1. Is the full journal title provided in a prominent, clear, and consistent manner on every journal content page where it is possible to control the title presentation? (4 points)

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* 2. Is the same journal title being used for all versions of a journal (e.g., print, electronic/online, CD-ROM)? (4 points)

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* 3. Are articles, issues, volumes, and dates all associated with the journal title under which they were originally published (i.e. not under a current, newer title)? (4 points)

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* 4. Are “Cite as” features constructed to use the title, volume, issue, and date under which the content was originally published? (4 points)

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* 5. Are all outputs by the publisher or provider (e.g., Table of Contents alerts, information given to link resolvers, and exporting or e-mailing citations or articles) using the journal title and other identifying citation information under which the content was originally published? (4 points)

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* 6. Are changes to any existing title(s) based on a change in content or scope? (2 points)

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* 7. Was the appropriate ISSN Center consulted before changing a title to determine the impact on the ISSN and title abbreviation? (2 points)

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* 8. Have title changes been implemented at the beginning of a volume or publication year? (2 points)

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* 9. Is a journal title history provided? It should include the full journal title, publication date range, and ISSN for the current title and at least the immediately preceding and/or succeeding titles, as appropriate. (4 points)

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* 10. Does each separate title of a journal over time have its own ISSN? ISSN data should be checked with appropriate ISSN Center. (4 points)

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* 11. Does each format of a journal have its own ISSN? If not, has the needed ISSN been applied for at the appropriate ISSN Center? (4 points)

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* 12. Are all ISSN for a title presented with each format specified, e.g., ISSN XXXX-XXXX (Print); ISSN YYYY-YYYY (Online); ISSN-L XXXX-XXXX (Linking ISSN)?  (4 points)

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* 13. When starting a new title, is the enumeration system clear and simple, e.g.: Vol. 1, No. 1 (2011 Jan 3)? (2 points)

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* 14. Is a date of publication (at a minimum) presented in the enumeration? (2 points)

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* 15. Is identifying information (such as volume, issue, and page numbering) kept parallel, whenever possible, across all versions of a journal? For example, when introducing an e-journal for a previously print-only journal, is the enumeration system of the print version used in the e-journal version? (2 points)

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* 16. When posting content on the Web, is the original enumeration and chronology scheme used? One should not retrospectively renumber existing content with a newly-imposed enumeration and chronology scheme. (4 points)

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* 17. Does publication information such as an “About the Journal” or “Journal Information” page exist that covers vital identifying facts including: editors and editorial board members, ISSN, publisher names (and places), sponsoring or responsible bodies, scope and purpose, publication frequencies, publication or copyright dates, masthead information, errata and retraction policies, and, if applicable, other pertinent information such as ethics guidelines and peer review status? Is this information retained for volumes over time? (2 points)

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* 18. Is it clear on a journal’s website that a journal title history exists? (4 points)

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* 19. Has all non-article information been retained in the online version? It is recommended that for online versions non-article information such as front and back matter, journal covers, editorial information, etc. be included. (2 points)

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* 20. Is a link or contact information provided for librarians to submit information or questions about the bibliographic history or presentation of a title? (2 points)

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* 21. Are current and all former journal titles available in browse lists and search features? (2 points)

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* 22. Are all volume numbers, issue numbers, and publication dates clearly provided? (2 points)

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* 23. Are Table of Contents, which includes errata, displayed? This facilitates browsing and current awareness.  (2 points)

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* 24. When content is not on the journal website (such as when the current publisher does not hold the rights to older content) is there information about where such content can be found? Where feasible, are links to the other site(s) provided? (2 points)

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* 25. Is published content retained, whether digitized from the print or born digital? Content should not be removed, renamed, or renumbered. (4 points)

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* 26. When digitizing content from print, is the entire original volume or issue, front and back covers, and all internal pages, including blank or nearly blank pages, and advertisements digitized? (Advertisements are part of the historical record.) (2 points)

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* 27. When digitizing content from print, is all available content, even when incomplete, digitized (with clear indications of what is missing)? This approach will facilitate use and permit reliable insertion later if the missing content is located and subsequently digitized. (2 points)

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* 28. Do you have any questions or comments for the PIE-J Standing Committee?

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* 29. Would you let us know your name, company, and email address? This information is not mandatory, but we'd like to be able to follow up with you if necessary.

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