Open Access Myths
Myth: Open Access materials are not peer-reviewed
Just like a traditional journal, Open Access journals may or may not be peer-reviewed. Most Open Access journals utilize the same peer-review process as peer-reviewed traditional journals.
Myth: OA materials are inherently low-quality
As early as 2004, Thomson Scientific found that in every field of the sciences “there was at least one open access title that ranked at or near the top of its field” in citation impact. Impact factors are not the only way to assess a journal’s quality, review the editorial board, where the journal is indexed and registered, and who the journal is affiliated with or sponsored by.
Myth: Open Access materials are not protected by copyright
Open Access publishing working within the US copyright system. The moment you, as an author, fix your work in a tangible medium (write it on paper, save a Word document) it is protected under copyright. You retain your copyright until you give part or all of it way. With traditional journals, unless you have negotiated your copyright, you typically give your copyright to the journal. In OA journals, you retain your copyright and license the journal to publish your research.
Myth: Open Access journals are the only path for OA
You can submit and publish your article in any journal you like and still make it available open access in a research repository. To determine what version of your article can be posted in a repository, you will need to consult the publishing journals policy on the journal’s website or through a service like Sherpa Romeo.
Myth: Publishing in a traditional journal prevents making your material OA
Most traditional journals give standing permission for author-initiated green open access. Many of the others will give permission on request. For authors unsure of a publisher’s position, read the publishing contract, review the journals website, check Sherpa Romeo, or ask an editor.
Myth: Authors must pay the OA publishing fees out of pocket
According to the comprehensive Study of Open Access Publishing (SOAP), when researchers publish in fee-based open access journals, the fees are paid by funders (59%) or by universities (24%). Only 12% of the time are they paid by authors out of pocket.