Benefits of Open Access Journals

by Cheryl Alkon •

Cheryl Alkon is a freelance medical writer based in Massachusetts.

OA Publishing In Europe

In 2016, European leaders adopted a plan to make all scientific papers published in the European Union open access by 2020. The Competitiveness Council—a meeting of ministers of science, innovation, trade, and industry—made the statement following a unanimous decision to take these steps.

“The time for talking about open access is now past. With these agreements, we are going to achieve it in practice,” said Sander Dekker, the Dutch state secretary for education, culture, and science.

In an effort to accelerate this transition, the European Commission, which spends more than €10 billion annually on research, announced in March 2017 that it may set up a “publishing platform” for the scientists it funds. This effort follows two other large funders, the Wellcome Trust and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, which are both active in promoting the open-access 2020 target.

Is That Open Access Journal Legitimate?

When considering where you want to submit your work for publication, do your research on the journal first. Ask yourself:

  • Does the journal have a solid reputation or an established medical brand behind it?
  • Is the journal indexed? (While it takes two years for new journals to be accessed, this is a good indicator for established publications.)
  • Does the journal publish work you would reference in your own work?
  • Are the reviewers people whose reputations you know and respect?