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Open Access in Argentina: A Proposal for Monitoring Scientific Publications Using OpenAlex


Core Concepts
The study proposes a methodology using the OpenAlex database to monitor open access to scientific publications in Argentina, a country with a self-archiving mandate in place since 2013.
Abstract

The study aimed to develop a methodology using the OpenAlex (OA) database to monitor open access (OA) to scientific publications in the case of Argentina, a country where a self-archiving mandate has been in effect since 2013 (Law 26.899, 2013). A sample of 167,240 papers by researchers from the National Council for Scientific and Technical Research (CONICET) was analyzed using statistical techniques.

Key highlights:

  • It is estimated that OA can capture between 85-93% of authors for all disciplines, except for Social Sciences and Humanities, where it only reaches an estimated 47%.
  • The availability of papers in Open Access was calculated to be 41% for the period 1953-2021 and 46% when considering exclusively the post-law period (2014-2021).
  • In both periods, gold Open Access made up the most common route.
  • When comparing equal periods post and pre-law, it was observed that the upward trend of gold Open Access was pre-existing to the legislation and the availability of closed articles in repositories increased by 5% to what is estimated based on existing trends.
  • The study concludes that while the green route has had a positive evolution, it has been the publication in gold journals that has boosted access to Argentine production more rapidly.
  • The OA-based methodology, piloted here for the first time, is viable for tracking Open Access in Argentina since it yields percentages similar to other national and international studies.
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Stats
The study analyzed 167,240 unique papers published by 12,292 CONICET researchers between 1953-2021. 41% of the papers were available in open access, with 16% in gold, 13% in green, 9% in bronze, and 3% in hybrid access. In the 2014-2021 period, 46% of papers were available in open access.
Quotes
"The availability of papers in Open Access was calculated to be 41% for the period 1953-2021 and 46% when considering exclusively the post-law period (2014-2021)." "When comparing equal periods post and pre-law, it was observed that the upward trend of gold Open Access was pre-existing to the legislation and the availability of closed articles in repositories increased by 5% to what is estimated based on existing trends."

Deeper Inquiries

How can the proposed OA-based methodology be adapted and applied to monitor open access in other countries or institutions?

The proposed OA-based methodology utilizing OpenAlex can be adapted and applied to monitor open access in other countries or institutions by following a similar approach tailored to the specific context of each region. Here are some key steps to adapt the methodology: Data Collection: Identify the key research institutions or organizations in the target country or region. Extract data on researchers, their publications, and their affiliations from institutional databases or websites. Utilize OpenAlex: Use the OpenAlex database or similar open data sources to gather information on the availability of publications in open access. Develop scripts or tools to extract and analyze data from OpenAlex efficiently. Comparative Analysis: Compare the data on publications from researchers with the information available in OpenAlex to determine the percentage of open access publications. Consider factors like publication types, access routes (gold, green, hybrid), and disciplinary differences. Evaluate Policy Impact: Assess the impact of existing open access policies or mandates in the country or institution on the availability of research outputs in open access. Look for trends over time and analyze the effectiveness of these policies. Disciplinary Analysis: Conduct a detailed analysis of open access trends across different academic disciplines to understand variations in adoption rates and factors influencing open access publishing. Validation and Verification: Validate the results obtained from OpenAlex with other sources or manual checks to ensure accuracy and reliability of the data. By adapting and applying this methodology to monitor open access in other countries or institutions, stakeholders can gain valuable insights into the status of open access publishing, track progress over time, and make informed decisions to enhance open access initiatives.

How can the insights from this study inform the design of more effective open access policies and support mechanisms for researchers in different academic disciplines?

The insights from this study can inform the design of more effective open access policies and support mechanisms for researchers in different academic disciplines in the following ways: Discipline-Specific Strategies: Tailor open access policies and support mechanisms to the specific needs and characteristics of different academic disciplines. Recognize that disciplines may have varying levels of openness and adoption of open access practices. Promotion of Gold Open Access: Given the increasing trend of gold open access in Argentina, policymakers can prioritize and incentivize publishing in open access journals to further boost accessibility to research outputs. Capacity Building: Provide training and resources to researchers, especially in disciplines with lower open access adoption rates, to increase awareness and understanding of open access publishing practices. Monitoring and Evaluation: Continuously monitor the impact of open access policies and support mechanisms to assess their effectiveness and make data-driven decisions for improvement. Collaboration and Advocacy: Foster collaboration between institutions, funders, and publishers to advocate for open access principles and facilitate the transition towards more open research practices. By leveraging the insights from this study, policymakers and stakeholders can develop targeted strategies to enhance open access policies and support mechanisms, ultimately fostering a more open and accessible research environment across diverse academic disciplines.
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