Useful information for journal editors
In this section we have compiled some useful information for journal editors. Practical tips and concrete replies to questions on specific topics can be found in the FAQ section. Since we wish to expand and optimise open-access.net progressively, in line with user needs and feedback, we welcome your input. So please don't hesitate to send us an e-mail if you have any questions, comments or suggestions.
In the context of scientific and scholarly journals, Open Access (OA) means that all the articles published are made freely available for everyone to access online. For editors of scientific and scholarly journals and for their authors, this so-called golden road to Open Access gives publications much greater visibility than in the case of subscription-based print or digital journals. Moreover, digital publishing, and especially OA publishing, provides additional ways of presenting and disseminating scientific and scholarly information.
In many respects, the everyday work of editors of OA journals is similar to that of their counterparts in conventional journals. Before an OA journal can be launched, a concept and a business plan must be developed and the question of how to cover costs must be dealt with. Then the pros and cons of journal affiliation must be addressed both when starting an OA journal from scratch and when converting an existing subscription-based journal to OA. In other words, you must consider whether it would be better for the journal to be affiliated to a publishing house or to be published independently. And finally, measures must be taken to run the journal. The Open Access Journal Business Guides produced by the Scholarly Publishing and Academic Resources Coalition (SPARC) and published by the Open Society Institute (OSI) provide useful information on converting a journal to OA and developing a business plan for new journals.
Links and literature for further reading
- SPARC/OSI: Open Access Journal Business Guides
- Budapest Open Access Initiative: Frequently asked questions
- Cyzyk, Mark & Choudhury, Sayeed (2008). A Survey and Evaluation of Open-Source Electronic Publishing Systems. Baltimore: Johns Hopkins University, commissioned by the Open Society Institute (OSI)
- Hanekop, Heidemarie & Wittke, Volker (2005). Das wissenschaftliche Journal und seine möglichen Alternativen: Veränderungen der Wissenschaftskommunikation durch das Internet (The scientific journal and its possible alternatives: changes to scientific communication brought about by the Internet) Göttingen: Universitätsverlag Göttingen (PDF, 336 KB; available in German only)
- Merton, Robert K. (1968). The Matthew Effect in Science. In: Science 159 (3810), 56-63.
- Morris, Sally (2006). Getting started in electronic journal publishing (5th edition). International Network for the Availability of Scientific Publications (INASP) (PDF, 297 KB)
- National Library of Canada: Electronic publishing. Guide to best practices for Canadian publishers (PDF, 209 KB)
- Open Access Directory: List of Open Source Journal Management Software
- Salomon, David (2008). Developing Open Access Journals: A Practical Guide. Oxford: Chandos Publishing. Abridged version (PDF, 284 KB)
- SPARC Scholarly Publishing and Academic Resources Coalition, SPARC Consulting Group for the Open Society Institute (2003): Guide to business planning for launching a new open access journal. Edition 2, July 2003 (PDF, 217 KB)
FAQ
Click here to access all FAQ entries of special relevance to journal editors.
