In terms of the effect that publishing might have on the field of digital government research, respondents rated the three strategies according to their perceived likelihood for promoting visibility, legitimacy, and influence in the larger research community.

Special issues in existing journals were seen as most likely to promote the visibility of DG research, but all three publishing strategies were believed to have a positive effect. 87 percent of respondents believed that publishing DG special issues in existing journals would promote the visibility of DG research, 76 percent also endorsed a dedicated journal as a way to promote visibility. More than half (63 percent) believed that publishing individual DG articles in existing journals would also promote DG research visibility.

Special issues of existing journals and a new dedicated journal were seen as equally strong strategies to promote the legitimacy of DG research. 79 percent of respondents believed publishing DG special issues in existing journals would increase the legitimacy of DG research and 78 percent of respondents believed publishing a dedicated DG journal would also do so. In addition, just over half (59 percent), believed that publishing individual DG articles in existing journals would promote the legitimacy of DG research.

Special issues in existing journals were seen as most likely to promote the influence of DG research in the larger research community. However, all three strategies were deemed to have a positive effect. Approximately four-fifths of respondents (80 percent) believed that publishing DG special issues in existing journals would promote the influence of DG research. 70 percent thought that the influence of DG research would also be promoted by publishing individual DG articles in existing journals and 64 percent believed a dedicated DG journal would promote the influence of DG research.