2014 ASHS Annual Conference

Objective(s):
The purpose of this workshop is to discuss the development of a peer review system for non-journal article teaching or extension instruments or tools. ASHS is currently conducting surveys of members and targeted non-members in teaching, extension, and outreach positions to determine their interest in using and value associated with the development of a peer review system for the tools and instruments they develop which are not conventional journal articled type of scholarly activities.

The American Society for Horticultural Sciences (ASHS) Board of Directors has formed an exploratory committee tasked with investigating the potential interest from the membership in submitting non-journal article teaching, extension or outreach instruments for peer review, determine if members or non-members are interested in access to and would use such peer reviewed materials in their programs, and if so what would be the perceived value of such a peer reviewed validation of non-journal article scholarly activities.  One of the first steps undertaken to this end was to conduct a survey of targeted ASHS members and non-members regarding these questions.  A conceptual framework of the proposed peer review system and results of the survey will be presented to the membership.  The committee for this project represents a wide diversity of career backgrounds within horticulture.  Following the presentation of the general framework and survey results, the committee will serve as a panel discussion group with questions and comments regarding the development of the proposed peer review of teaching and extension instruments provided from the general membership in attendance.