The Regional Journal in Sociology: Recent Trends and Observations

• Published in: The American sociologist Vol. 45; no. 2/3; pp. 185 - 196
• Main Authors: Schultz, Jessica, Elliott, James R., O'Brien, Robert M.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Boston Springer 01.09.2014; Springer US; Springer Nature B.V
• Subjects: Associations; Author affiliation; Authors; Authorship attribution; Countries; Geographic location; Geographic regions; Membership groups; Nation; PART I: CHANGING CONTEXTS AND ROLES; Periodicals; Prestige; Publishing; Publishing industry; Regions; Social networking; Social research; Social Sciences; Sociologists; Sociology; Trajectories; Sociological journals; Professional associations; Regional affiliation
• ISSN: 0003-1232; 1936-4784
• DOI: 10.1007/s12108-014-9229-6

We investigate the historical trajectories of several sociological journals published by regional associations, focusing our attention on one of the first regional journals published by the Pacific Sociological Association, Sociological Perspectives. We begin with a discussion of the journal's origins and look at its professional and geographical development over time. Through a comparative-historical analysis of author affiliations of articles published in regional journals, we find geographic ties are important in shaping the early content of regional journals. However, as time passes, regional ties are stretched to include work from a broadening spectrum of regions and nations. So, while regional sociological journals do appear to maintain their original geographical connections, they also tend to expand their relative geographical influence over time.