The Information Systems Journal of Abandoned Projects: A Manifesto for Preserving Incomplete Scholarly Work
By Benjamin M. Ampel
DOI: ISJAP-2026-0001
Published: 2026-01-01
Abstract
This manifesto introduces the Information Systems Journal of Abandoned Projects (ISJAP), an open-access venue dedicated to the preservation, recognition, and reuse of incomplete scholarly work. ISJAP provides a formal mechanism to document partial results, methodological dead ends, orphaned datasets, and theoretical fragments. By shifting the focus from narrative closure to empirical soundness, and introducing the Post-Mortem Analysis as a core scientific contribution, ISJAP aims to reduce research waste. Through its "Rescue Board" and "Research Genealogy" tracking, the journal also provides a formal mechanism for the adoption and continuation of stalled projects, turning the "file drawer" into a marketplace of potential.