THE STATUS OF SCIENTIFIC RESEARCH AND PUBLICATION IN MEDIA AND COMMUNICATION SCIENCES AT ARAB UNIVERSITIES: AN ANALYTICAL FIELD STUDY

Abstract

The present study aims to investigate the reality of scientific publication in media and communication sciences at Arab universities. To this end, an attempt was made to identify the difficulties and pressures hampering the scientific research process in the Arab environment. Furthermore, an effort was made to identify the publication methods and ways adopted in different specialized scientific fields. The study also shed light on such an important issue, namely the scientific publication development processes at Arab universities as well as the demands of professors at those universities. The sample group, which comprised researchers from different Arab universities, was asked to fill out an inventory in order for us to understand their positions regarding the reality of scientific publication in the Arab world. Results revealed it is necessary to attach importance to scientific research in the Arab world by providing the appropriate working and scientific research environment, by considering incentives for those who work in this area, and by providing different tools and technologies of scientific publication development. Such tools and technologies are to adhere to the international standards and to ignore personal relationships and bureaucracy in dealing with studies. To achieve this, all those working in Arab university institutions must work together.