Most major journal publishers now offer a hybrid business model including some form of Gold OA (where authors are charged to make a particular article open access). For example, in April 2010 Nature Publishing Group introduced Nature Communications, an online-only, multidisciplinary 'hybrid' journal, with subscription and open access options and by December that year there had been a 40% take up of the journal’s open access option.
More recently, SAGE Publishers announced the launch of SAGE Open, a new open access publication which will publish peer-reviewed, original research and review articles in an interactive, open access format. Clearly the publisher sees a future in this model and states: “SAGE Open seeks to be the world's premier open access outlet for academic research. As such, unlike traditional journals, SAGE Open does not limit content due to page budgets or thematic significance".
However, there are concerns about the transparency of the hybrid business model (for example that access fees are being paid twice, through subscriptions and through publication fees) and there are challenges surrounding funding and payment flows and the transition process.
To address these concerns, JISC has funded us to build a database of open access articles funded by UK academia and published by NESLi2 publishers since January 2009 and to discover if there is a consensus among stakeholders on how OA publication fees should be administered and reported effectively within and across organisations in the sector.
Some of the key questions we are looking to explore include: Is the hybrid a transitional model or an optional model? If a transitional model, how will the transition be effected and what are the conditions for its success according to all stakeholders? If it’s not transitional and is an optional model, what conditions are required to successfully integrate it into research?
On the 25 May 2011, we will be holding a workshop to discuss:
- the concept of ‘hybrid’ journals as a transitional or optional model
- if transitional, how can the transition be effected effectively?
- if optional what conditions are required to successfully integrate into research?
- how can you ensure transparency in terms of author payments and subscription fees?
- best practice for administration for all involved to assist in ensuring transparency?
JISC Collections wishes to ensure that the workshop produces outputs which can enhance the existing UUK-RIN guidance, and can be developed into a set of guidelines for all stakeholders, HEIs, research funders and publishers, in the management of funds for hybrid journals.
The one day workshop is open to everyone and will take place at One Great George Street. To register please complete the registration form below:
