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Analysis of Open Access Uptake in Hybrid Journals Through Transformative Agreements


Core Concepts
The author explores the growth of open access in hybrid journals through transformative agreements, highlighting the dominance of major publishers and the insufficient transition to full open access.
Abstract

The study delves into the ongoing controversy surrounding transformative agreements aiming to shift journal publishing to full open access. By analyzing over 700 agreements and nine million articles, it reveals a strong growth in open access from 2018 to 2022. However, only 58% of hybrid open access was enabled by transformative agreements, with major publishers like Elsevier, Springer Nature, and Wiley driving this trend. The study also uncovers disparities across journals, publishers, disciplines, and country affiliations regarding open access uptake. Despite efforts towards transformative agreements, the current implementation falls short of achieving a large-scale transition to full open access.

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Stats
Estimates suggest a growth in open access from 4.3% to 15% between 2018 and 2022. In 2022, 58% of hybrid open access was enabled by transformative agreements. Over 700 agreements and nine million journal articles were analyzed.
Quotes
"The ongoing standardization of transformative agreements has contributed to improved transparency in terms of contracts and publisher-provided article metadata." "Despite efforts towards transformative agreements, the current level of implementation is insufficient to bring about a large-scale transition to fully open access."

Deeper Inquiries

How do emerging publication practices like preprints impact the adoption of open access through transformative agreements?

The emergence of publication practices like preprints has a significant impact on the adoption of open access through transformative agreements. Preprints allow researchers to share their findings openly and quickly without undergoing traditional peer review processes. This can lead to increased visibility and accessibility of research outputs, potentially reducing the reliance on subscription-based journals. In the context of transformative agreements, preprints can complement the transition to full open access by providing an avenue for immediate dissemination of research results while waiting for formal publication in hybrid journals covered by these agreements. Researchers may choose to deposit their preprints in repositories that align with open access principles, thereby contributing to a broader pool of openly accessible content. Furthermore, preprints can facilitate collaboration and knowledge sharing among researchers globally, fostering a culture of openness and transparency in scholarly communication. As more researchers embrace preprint publishing as part of their dissemination strategy, it could influence publishers' attitudes towards open access models and encourage them to support initiatives that promote greater accessibility to research outputs.

How can measures be taken to address disparities in open access uptake across different countries and disciplines?

To address disparities in open access uptake across different countries and disciplines, several measures can be implemented: Funding Support: Providing financial assistance or incentives for authors from underrepresented regions or fields to publish their work openly. Capacity Building: Offering training programs or workshops on open access publishing practices targeted at researchers from countries with lower adoption rates. Collaborative Agreements: Encouraging international collaborations between institutions from high-income countries with those from low- or middle-income nations to facilitate knowledge exchange and resource sharing. Policy Advocacy: Advocating for national policies that mandate or incentivize open access publishing within academic institutions. Awareness Campaigns: Conducting awareness campaigns about the benefits of open access publishing among researchers, librarians, funding agencies, and policymakers. Infrastructure Development: Investing in infrastructure development such as institutional repositories or journal hosting platforms tailored towards supporting open access initiatives.

How can the scholarly publishing industry ensure a more equitable distribution of resources for transitioning towards full Open Access?

To ensure a more equitable distribution of resources for transitioning towards full Open Access, the scholarly publishing industry can take several steps: Transparent Pricing Models: Implement transparent pricing models that consider factors such as institution size, geographical location, and economic status when determining article processing charges (APCs) or other fees related to Open Access publishing. Diverse Funding Sources: Diversify funding sources beyond author-facing charges by exploring alternative revenue streams such as grants from philanthropic organizations or government subsidies dedicated specifically towards Open Access initiatives. 3 .Support Mechanisms: Establish support mechanisms such as fee waivers or discounts based on financial need criteria for authors who may face challenges affording Open Access fees. 4 .Partnerships & Collaborations: Foster partnerships with libraries consortia , universities , funders ,and governmental bodies worldwide aimed at collectively supporting transitions toward Full OA 5 .Community Engagement: Engage stakeholders including researchers ,librarians,publishers,funders,and policy makers,in discussions around equity issues relatedto OA transition ensuring diverse perspectives are considered . 6 .Monitoring & Evaluation : Continuously monitor progress toward achieving equitable distributionof resourcesforOAtransitionthrough regular evaluationsand assessments identifying areas requiring further attentionor intervention
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