Indexing is critically important for documenting scientific information, because it allows work to be reviewed around the world shortly after that work is published, and it prevents research from being redundant and repetitive. Thus, indexing research is a high priority for the chiropractic profession, because it affords a means to allow our work to be reviewed by an interested party. Indexing status is gained after a period of review in which all aspects of the journal's operation are reviewed, including the quality of the papers published, the make-up of the editorial board, the qualifications of the editor, the manuscript processing procedures and other components. Generally, this review process takes about two years before a decision is rendered. Only one chiropractic journal has, at the time of this writing, gained full indexing status with the above-named agencies, though at least one other is in the process of review.
Indexing benefits the entire profession by documenting the foundations of the chiropractic field.
This paper examines some issues concerning the relationship between the individual chiropractor and the periodical literature. It also examines the relationship that exists between the two and the wider scientific community. It shows that at best the association is tenuous and suggests some possibilities to redress the dilemma. This paper will address the issues confronting both the consumer and producer of the periodical literature. Perhaps the lack of published material reflects an unwillingness of individual practitioners and their professional bodies to document their own history and progress.