Why don't universities start more of their own open access journals?

In summary: Interesting article:In summary, the article points out that academic publishers have a monopoly on scientific information, and this is partly due to "high impact journals". There is a fight brewing over open access textbooks, and this may lead to the monopoly being broken.
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  • #2
arXiv has been open access for years. All major physics journals accept papers posted first on arXiv.

The NIH in the USA has an open access policy which began about 5 years ago: http://publicaccess.nih.gov/. There is a delay in when the paper becomes freely available, but one can still access papers in Nature through the versions deposited in PubMed Central, such as http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21068835.
 
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  • #3
I agree with atyy. Also, even though Elsevier has gotten a lot of (well-deserved) bad press, I feel the OP article oversimplifies the situation- for example, what of society journals (American Physical Society, American Physiological Society, etc.)?

There are reasonable courses of action:

http://math.ucr.edu/home/baez/journals.html
 
  • #4
gravenewworld said:
It does have a point. Why do academic publishing companies run a monopoly on scientific information when much of it is funded by tax payer dollars?

Because they can.

Also the monopoly in scientific information is partly the result in "high impact journals". In some fields (fortunately not astrophysics), there are some "must publish journals" and if you happen to own that journal, that's a license to print money. One thing that having a monopoly gets you is money to pay lobbyists so that you get to keep your monopoly.

The NIH in the USA has an open access policy which began about 5 years ago: http://publicaccess.nih.gov/. There is a delay in when the paper becomes freely available, but one can still access papers in Nature through the versions deposited in PubMed Central, such as http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21068835.

And there was a hellicious amount of kicking and screaming to get that done.

Right now there is a big fight brewing over open access textbooks.

http://www.hackeducation.com/2011/10/05/appropriations-bill-may-strip-federal-funding-for-open-educational-resources/ [Broken]
 
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  • #5


I can understand the frustration and concern expressed in this article. The issue of academic publishing and access to scientific information is a complex one, and there are several factors that contribute to the current state of affairs.

Firstly, many universities and research institutions do in fact have their own open access journals. However, these journals may not have the same level of prestige or impact as those published by commercial publishing companies. This is due to a variety of reasons, including the lack of established reputation and impact factor, as well as the limited resources and funding available for these journals.

Additionally, the academic publishing industry operates on a profit-driven model, where publishing companies charge high fees for access to their journals and also require authors to pay publication fees. This creates a barrier for universities to start their own open access journals, as they may not have the necessary funds to cover the costs involved.

Furthermore, there is a culture within the academic community that values publishing in prestigious and well-established journals, which are often owned by commercial publishing companies. This creates a demand for these journals and perpetuates the current system.

However, there is a growing movement towards open access publishing and many universities and research institutions are taking steps to promote and support it. This includes creating institutional repositories and providing funding for open access publication fees.

In conclusion, while there are challenges and barriers to universities starting their own open access journals, it is important for the scientific community to continue advocating for and supporting open access publishing. This will ultimately lead to greater access to scientific information and a more equitable distribution of knowledge.
 

1. Why don't universities start their own open access journals?

There are a few reasons why universities may not start their own open access journals. One major factor is the cost and resources required to maintain and publish a journal. Universities may not have the funding or staffing available to sustain a journal. Additionally, many universities prioritize other research and academic initiatives over starting a journal.

2. Are there any benefits for universities to start their own open access journals?

Yes, there are several potential benefits for universities to start their own open access journals. These include increasing the visibility and impact of their research, promoting open access and open science principles, and potentially generating revenue through publication fees. Universities may also be able to have more control over the content and direction of the journal.

3. How can universities ensure the quality and credibility of their open access journals?

There are several measures that universities can take to ensure the quality and credibility of their open access journals. These include implementing rigorous peer review processes, adhering to ethical publishing standards, and maintaining transparency and accountability in the publishing process. Universities can also seek accreditation through organizations such as DOAJ (Directory of Open Access Journals) to demonstrate the quality of their journal.

4. Are there any challenges that universities may face in starting their own open access journals?

Yes, there are several challenges that universities may face in starting their own open access journals. These may include lack of expertise and resources, difficulty in attracting high-quality submissions and building a strong reputation, and potential conflicts with traditional subscription-based publishing models. Universities may also face challenges in sustaining the long-term viability of the journal.

5. How can universities support open access publishing without starting their own journals?

There are several ways that universities can support open access publishing without starting their own journals. They can allocate funding for publishing fees for their researchers, establish institutional repositories to host open access publications, and advocate for open access policies and mandates. Universities can also partner with existing open access journals or support alternative publishing models such as preprint servers and open peer review platforms.

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