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Open Access

Open Access are freely available resources

Determine OA Type

There are several different types of Open Access Publishing which are arranged mainly due to the accessibility provided the item.  

Green Open Access - Repository Based

This method, also known as self-archiving, allows the author to store a copy of a published work in a various platforms, including discipline specific repositories, institutional repository, or personal webpages, thus allowing the author to make use of and share the work.  Items may have an Creative Commons license applied specifying how it can be used.

Gold Open Access - Journal Based

Gold Open Access refers to publishing in a fully open access journal, one where the publisher of the journal provides free and immediate online access to the work.  Items have a Creative Commons License applied, which specifies how the article can be used.  To account for this cost, publisher may charge an Article Processing Charge (APC) which is usually paid by the author or their institution.   

Diamond/Platinum Open Access

Diamond Open Access refers to open access journals that are free for readers to access and for authors to publish in. These journals are often community-driven and supported by institutions or by national or regional infrastructure.  A recent report by cOAlition S and Science Europe studied the massive range of Diamond/Platinum Open Access journals and can be used to identify appropriate journals for submission.

Hybrid Open Access

Hybrid Open Access refers to when an article in a subscription journal and a processing charge is paid for an individual journal article to be made open access.  There will always be an APC associated with this method and it can be substantially more expensive.

Bronze Open Access

Bronze Open Access refers to a freely available journal article that has no open license (and hence cannot be considered fully open access).

Black Open Access

Black Open Access refers to illegal methods of access.

Self-Archiving

Self-Archiving in an Open Access Repository

1.  Make sure the rights attached to your article allow for making the item available in an open access repository.
  • If the article has already been published or if you are still researching which journal to submit to, Jisc's Open Policy Finder is a database of publisher copyright and open access archiving policies for journals around the world.
  • If you have not signed an Author Agreement but your article has already been accepted, attach an author addendum to the agreement. 
2.  Identify a repository for storage.
3.  Submit your work and license it under a Creative Commons license.

Publishing

Publishing in an Open Access Journal

1.  Consider what type of Open Access you want for your article and identify appropriate journal/s for submission.
2.  Evaluation of Journals.
  • Think. Check. Submit. is an invaluable resource for identifying trusted journals for your research by examining a variety of characteristics.  For more information, see video and graphic to right.
3.  Submit the article for review.
4.  If the article is accepted:
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