INTRODUCTION

Internet Journal of Religion is a journal in the sense that its contents are open to the future in serial form. At the same time, it is a "site". It is therefore able to house a cluster of related journals which each have their own form and purpose. In the first instance three journals are incorporated in this format:

• DISKUS -- a journal which has previously been circulated on disk.
• Marburg Journal of Religion -- a recently founded internet journal, possibly the first journal devoted to the study of religion to be published solely on the internet.
• Science of Religion -- a hardcopy bibliographical journal which will be offering selected information in the new medium. In addition, further internet journals dealing with particular aspects of religion, or of some specific religion, may be associated with this site.The style of such journals will be broadly academic and not propagandist. Their editorial policy is completely independent.

  As and when appropriate further journals may be added to "the tree" shown on the opening page. Each journal has its own editorial policy and its own participating editors and contributors. Internet Journal of Religion itself has a correlatory and integrative function. For example, some cross-indexing is planned for the future.

  Hardcopy journals. In the future information will be provided on a large number of hardcopy journals relevant to the academic study of religion. Currently nearly 400 journals are under review for this purpose. This information is provided partly by courtesy of Science of Religion and partly through cooperation with the journals themselves. Internet links will be incorporated as they become available. Editors and publishers interested in this possibility are requested to apply to the general editor of Internet Journal of Religion: pye@mailer.uni-marburg.de

  Citations to the incorporated journals may be made in three ways:

  1. full citation:
     • Internet Journal of Religion / DISKUS
     • Internet Journal of Religion / Marburg Journal of Religion
     • Internet Journal of Religion / Science of Religion
  2. abbreviated citation:
     • IJR / DISKUS
     • IJR / Marburg Journal of Religion
     • IJR / Science of Religion
  3. partial citation:
     • DISKUS
     • Science of Religion N.B. In this case citation refers to the other form of the journal (disk/hardcopy).
  Virtual pages. Please note that on-screen appearance and hardcopy printouts will vary according to the hardware and software which is being used. In the case of Marburg Journal of Religion, articles are therefore divided into sections described as "virtual pages" and convenient for the location of citations within an article. Such "virtual pages" are usually rather longer than printed pages and the articles are therefore more substantial than may at first appear. The "page" numbers are given at the beginning of each "page".

  Feedback. Comments, advice and assistance on the future development of Internet Journal of Religion will be gratefully received: Feedback.