Journal Article: “Getting the Best Out of Data for Open Access Monograph Presses: A Case Study of UCL Press”

NOTE: The full text article linked below (final author submitted version, open access) was published earlier this week by Learned Publishing.
Title
Getting the Best Out of Data for Open Access Monograph Presses: A Case Study of UCL Press
Authors
Lucy Montgomery
Curtin University
Cameron Neylon
Curtin University
Alkim Ozaygen
Curtin University
Tamar Leaver
Curtin University
Source
via Humanities Commons
doi: 10.17613/M6HQ3RZ0T
Abstract

This study of UCL Press sought to identify the extent to which data available to Open Access (OA) monograph presses can be combined with low-cost analysis tools to provide insight into development and strategy. An additional goal was identifying practical steps that monograph publishers can take to ensure that they make the most of the data they have access to. The project team carried out analysis of download figures from platforms providing access to UCL Press monograph titles; social media activity; and sales patterns. Patterns of engagement with the books were cross-referenced against key marketing and dissemination events in order to identify relationships between marketing approaches and awareness or use of a title. The study shows that it is possible to gain valuable insights into the uses of OA books by collating and analyzing usage and social media data. It also identifies a series of relatively straight-forward steps that can be taken by presses to maximise the richness of data captured. These include proactively gathering and storing data; providing best practice advice to those engaging in promotion, particularly when promotion is via social media; and making it easier to track specific efforts to publicise books by using tagged links.

Filed under: Companies (Publishers/Vendors), Data Files, News, Open Access, Publishing