What is the difference between open access journals (gold open access) and an open access option (hybrid)?
Many academic commercial publishers, such as Elsevier, Springer, Wiley and Taylor and Francis, offer an open access option, in addition to their subscription model. This is known as a hybrid model, which is a mixed revenue model of subscription charges and publication fees. Authors can publish an open access article in a journal that has restricted access. This is seen as “double dipping” as the author pays the publisher to make the individual article open access and the publisher receives a second payment for the same article through a subscription for access to the journal.
Through research, it has been proven that the article processing charges for the hybrid option is more expensive than the charges for publishing in an open access journal.
What software platform is the Libraries using to host open access journals?
Many academic libraries are now playing a role in scholarly publishing by offering their services of hosting open access journals. This service adds value to its academic staff who may be editors, serve on editorial boards or journal mangers. Libraries are not just providing support at the beginning of the research cycle, but can provide support in the dissemination of the research produced at the institution. This new service is especially important in the rising serials crisis. Many academic publishers use the open source platform, Open Journals System (OJS), to manage the journal publication process. This software platform assists in every stage of the publishing process, from the submission process to the online publication. Currently over 7000 academic journals are published using OJS globally.
Contact OpenUCT for more details about this free hosting service.
What software platform is the Libraries using to pilot open access monographs?
UCT Libraries are using the Open Monograph Press, which is an open source platform to manage the editorial workflow of monographs, edited volumes and scholarly editions.
Contact OpenUCT for more details about this free hosting service.
What are predatory/vanity publishing and how do I avoid publishing in such a journal?
Predatory journals are fake journals that send phishing emails offering “open access” publication in exchange for payment, without providing robust editorial or publishing services.
Some questions to ask, when in doubt of the credibility of an open access journal:
- Does the journal appear in the Directory of Open Access Journal? This is an online directory that indexes quality open access, peer-reviewed journals.
- Has the journal been indexed? Do a search to verify that is indeed indexed.
- Does the journal follow good-practice when it comes to its editorial and peer-review processes?
- Is there minimal (or non-existent) peer review process?
- Is the journal falsely claiming to have an impact factor but is in fact not listed in the ISI Web of Science or in Scopus?
Contact OpenUCT if you are unsure about the credibility of a scholarly publication.