Onderzoeksartikel

De rol en werkwijze van vakbladredacteuren bij informatieselectie

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Abstract

In this research the central theme is the role and working method of professional journal editors with information selection. The specific focus is on the attitude with regard to the giving of free publicity and the use of information of research rapports. There have been analyzed fifteen in-depth interviews with professional journal editors. This practical study becomes supported by a literature study concerning gatekeeping; gatekeeping is the aspect of the communication science that focuses on information selection. The results point to a participating role of professional journal editors with regard to their specialty and also on a neutral role with regard to their relationships with participants in the specialty. It seems probable that editors of professional journals are strongly oriented towards their employers. Further the results point to the issue that professional journal editors are only in a limited amount independent of their sources; the conclusion seems justifiable that editors of professional journals have also a source-directed orientation and find themselves in a cooperation- or assimilation relationship with their sources. The results point also to an indirect orientation of editors of professional journals on their reading public. The professional journal editor is on the one side directed towards his work environment, but strives on the other side also for sharing his opinion with readers and sources within his specialty. The working method is mostly according to routine and plan. The allocation of tasks on an editorial board seems to be the most important factor in the working method; this allocation of tasks becomes determined by the cooperation relationship and the specialism of the editors. The one who has the most knowledge about a certain issue will decide on the choice of information. So it can be put that the final decisions on the choice of information will be token by the present specialists and the chief editor. Professional journal editors have a critical attitude regarding the giving of free publicity and are very selective in the use of research rapports.

How to Cite:

Bollen, G. & Robben, H., (1991) “De rol en werkwijze van vakbladredacteuren bij informatieselectie”, Massacommunicatie : Wetenschappelijk Kwartaaltijdschrift voor Communicatie en Informatie 19(3), 227–239.