Toolkit for researchers
Introduction: open access
What is open access?
The concept of open access refers to making scholarly literature freely available online and available to all. It is generally agreed that open access can be achieved in two ways – either depositing publications in an open access repository, or publishing in an open access journal, or journal that provides an open access option.
For an overview of open access see Peter Stuber's Open access overview.
Many UK funding bodies have recognised the benefits of open access, and now require their grant holders to make their research available in an open access manner.
See Funding bodies and open access for more information on funders and open access.
What are repositories?
Repositories are online databases that offer free access to the full text of scholarly publications. Repositories are not generally intended as a publication mechanism – in most cases they hold material that has already been published, although many also hold material such as theses and pre-prints. Repositories have not been set up as a substitute for publishing in peer-reviewed journals. The expectation is that researchers publish and then deposit a copy of their article in a repository. Making publications available in a repository is one way of achieving the goal of open access. Repositories can come in the form of institutional repositories, which are managed by a particular institution, or subject repositories. Examples of subject repositories are UK PubMed Central and arXiv.
What are open access journals?
Open access journals are journals that are freely available to all. They do not charge subscriptions in the same way as traditional journals. However, they are peer-reviewed in the same way as traditional journals. Some open access journals are produced by open access publishers such as BioMed Central. Other may be produced by universities, learned societies or institutions. Open access journals typically allow authors to retain copyright of their articles. Many open access journals re-coup the costs of publishing by charging a fee for publication. This is sometimes referred to as an "author pays" fee. However, the expectation is that authors will factor this charge into their grants. In some cases this charge may be recouped from a funding body, e.g. the Wellcome Trust will pay for open access publishing charges. The Directory of Open Access Journals provides a comprehensive listing of open access journals in different subject areas.
How do repositories and open access journals relate to each other?
Repositories are traditionally regarded as places to deposit work that has already been published, or that is not going to be published. Repositories should generally not be viewed as a substitute for publishing, particularly if you are expected to publish in the key journals in your field. Repositories do not provide the peer review function that journals, both traditional and open access, do. However, both repositories and open access journals exist to provide free access to all to the scholarly literature.
What's the point, and why should I bother?
Making your publications available in an open access manner offers a number of advantages for authors:
- Your publications are accessible to all
- Your publications are highly visible
- Your publications will have more impact
More generally open access offers additional benefits:
- As scholarly research is freely available to all the resulting wider and faster dissemination of research will advance knowledge worldwide