Publication rates of presentations given at annual conferences of The Wildlife Society, 1994–2006

Abstract

Annual conferences of The Wildlife Society (TWS) are important venues to advance wildlife science research through the presentation of papers and posters. However, no longitudinal analysis has been conducted of publication rates of TWS conference presentations. We classified all conference presentations from 1994 to 2006 by publication status, publication outlet, lead author affiliation, and elapsed time between presentation and publication to analyze presentation and publication trends. Of the 6,279 presentations reviewed, 1,771 were published (28.2%), primarily in the Journal of Wildlife Management (22.9%) or the Wildlife Society Bulletin (15.2%). The average time between presentation and publication was 30.1 ± 0.6 months. Academics provided most of the presentations (52.6%), as well as publications (62.4%). We believe consideration of TWS annual conference presentation and publication metrics by TWS membership and conference organizers is warranted to ensure maximum stakeholder benefit. We discuss these implications of publication analysis and offer suggestions for increasing publication rates, if that becomes a goal of TWS. We encourage periodic investigation to quantify conference benefits and to better assess the efficacy of TWS conferences. © 2013 The Wildlife Society.

From conference abstract to publication in the conservation science literature

“…This particular ICCB was hosted by an English-speaking country, and it is possible this language prevalence may be less noticeable when ICCBs are hosted in other countries. We also found a relatively high publication rate, above the values reported for other disciplines (Scherer et al 2007;McRoberts et al 2014). Sixty percent of the presented abstracts are now peerreviewed publications.…”

“…McRoberts et al. () noted that academic publishing may not be a work requirement for nonacademic presenters, who sometimes report their research internally without a corresponding publication. This may be the reason for not publishing in some cases.…”

“…Finally, conservation conferences feature presenters from NGOs, private foundations, civilian groups, and government entities. McRoberts et al (2014) noted that academic publishing may not be a work requirement for nonacademic presenters, who sometimes report their research internally without a corresponding publication. This may be the reason for not publishing in some cases.…”

“…McRoberts et al. () examined presentations at annual meetings organized by The Wildlife Society between 1994 and 2006. Of 6279 presentations, 28.2% resulted in publications.…”

“…Bird and Bird (1999) analyzed 425 abstracts from the 1989 and 1991 meetings for the Society for Marine Mammals and found that peer-reviewed publications resulted from 55% of presentations. McRoberts et al (2014) examined presentations at annual meetings organized by The Wildlife Society between 1994 and 2006. Of 6279 presentations, 28.2% resulted in publications.…”