CytoJournal′s move to fund Open Access

Vinod B Shidham,Anthony F Cafaro,Barbara F Atkinson

doi:10.1186/1742-6413-2-3

Vinod B Shidham, Anthony F Cafaro + Show 1 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.1186/1742-6413-2-3

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Abstract

CytoJournal is published by an independent publisher BioMed Central, which is committed to ensuring that the peer-reviewed biomedical research is Open Access. Since its launch, BioMed Central has graciously supported the processing of all the articles published during CytoJournal's first 6 months. However, for long term viability, CytoJournal has to achieve financial viability to support publication expenses. From 1st March, 2005, authors will be asked by the publisher to pay a flat article-processing charge. This editorial discusses how a significant proportion of authors may not have to pay this fee directly under a variety of different mechanisms such as institutional and society memberships with BioMed Central.

Highlights

Since its launch in August 2004, BioMed Central has graciously supported the processing of all the articles published during CytoJournal's first 6 months
As we move forward it is crucial that CytoJournal develops its own financial viability, at least to support publication expenses
From 1st March, 2005, authors will be asked by the publisher to pay a flat £330 article-processing charge (APC) [2]

Summary

Introduction

Traditional journals publish authors' work for free (unless there are page or colour charges), having to pay to access articles limits how many people can read, use and cite them. This compromises the scientific impact (page number not for citation purposes). Several journals offer free access to their articles online, this is different from Open Access (as defined by the Bethesda Statement [15]) These journals often delay free access for 6-12 months, and even when the full text is available, readers are not allowed to reproduce and/or disseminate the work because of restrictions imposed by the copyright policy. Given that the Public Library of Science has used television advertising to promote journals [10], the high profile of these journals will raise awareness of Open Access and encourage researchers in all disciplines to understand and accept Open Access, with APCs as an acceptable method to fund it

Conclusion

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