Although authors know their article will be published eventually, there is nothing quite like seeing your work in print. The on line publication of articles makes this gratification for the author more immediate. Having immediate access to published research and scholarship is also an advantage to the scholar seeking the most current scholarship on a topic. Even for those scholars wanting a hard copy of research to read and mark up, they will be able to download and print electronic journal articles once located on line. An associated benefit for editors will be the ability to create special issues of a publication.
Many journals have special editions dedicated to a special topic.
When journal editors decide to create a special issue, it has to fit into the normal print publication cycle of the journal. A special issue uses one of the issues for publication of other accepted submissions. For example, the Fall 1999 issue of CT will be dedicated to teaching ideas related to diversity in the communication classroom. There will be no other articles printed in that edition. A special edition, in electronic form, could be posted when it is completed in addition to a journals normal publication cycle.