The standardization of publishing practices: An introduction to organizations and the standards process

The use of standards and common practices in publishing and communications facilitates the transfer of information economically and effectively. This article looks at two of the organizations involved in standards development in the United States — the American National Standards Institute and the National Information Standards Organization, the mechanism for standards development, the life cycle of a standard, and the revision of American National Standard Z39.18–1974, Guidelines for Format and Production of Scientific and Technical Reports.