Contents Analysis of the Journal of Sustainable Agriculture and the Environment (MOUAU): 1999-2007
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Department of Rural Sociology and Agriculture Extension, Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike. Abstract:
The Journal of Sustainable Agriculture and the Environment (JSAE) has been in publication since 1999. All articles published in the first nine (9) years (1999-2007) of JSAE were reviewed, assessed and content-analyzed. The objectives were to, determine the subject matter diversification in terms of disciplines/fields published; frequency/regularity of publication; spatial diversification of authors/contributors; publishing trend; as well as problems militating against effective publication and distribution of JSAE. A total of 18 issues of JSAE constituted the sample size and these were content-analyzed to obtain data for the study. Simple descriptive statistical tools including frequency counts, percentages, and bar charts used for data presentation and analysis. Results revealed that articles published were mostly in Crop production and protection (28.62%) and Animal Science (26.24%). There were no articles published in Veterinary Medicine. Analysis of the data obtained also indicated that more authors/contributors came from the South- East region (49.70%) unlike those from outside Nigeria (2.21%) from which the least number of authors/contributors came from. Findings revealed that JSAE had maintained its publications’ regularity over the years. However, results indicated a gradual decline in the total number of articles received for publication, as well as the total number of authors/contributors as the years progressed. Some problems confronting the efficiency of JSAE publication and distribution were: inadequate market and poor distribution networks for the journal, paucity of funds to boost production; and low patronage/decrease readership. It is recommended that JSAE publishers and editors create more awareness for the journal in similar local and international journals in order to increase its subscription. The electronic journal publishing technology must also, be fully explored. Furthermore, there is the need for JSAE editors and publishers to solicit for good scientist to contribute articles in order to increase its value and readership. Read/Download Full Publication:
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