Research Article: “Change and Growth in Open Access Journal Publishing and Charging Trends 2011–2021”

The article linked below (abstract only) was recently published by the Journal of the Association for Information Science and Technology.

Title

Change and Growth in Open Access Journal Publishing and Charging Trends 2011–2021

Authors

Heather Morrison
School of Information Studies, University of Ottawa

Luan Borges
School of Information Studies, University of Ottawa

Xuan Zhao
School of Information Studies, University of Ottawa

Tanoh Laurent Kakou
School of Information Studies, University of Ottawa

Amit Nataraj Shanbhoug
School of Information Studies, University of Ottawa

Source

Journal of the Association for Information Science and Technology

First Published: October 21, 2022
DOI:10.1002/asi.24717

Abstract

This study examines trends in open access article processing charges (APCs) from 2011 to 2021, building on a 2011 study by Solomon and Björk. Two methods are employed, a modified replica and a status update of the 2011 journals. Data are drawn from multiple sources and datasets are available as open data. Most journals do not charge APCs; this has not changed. The global average per-journal APC increased slightly, from 906 to 958 USD, while the per-article average increased from 904 to 1,626 USD, indicating that authors choose to publish in more expensive journals. Publisher size, type, impact metrics and subject affect charging tendencies, average APC, and pricing trends. Half the journals from the 2011 sample are no longer listed in DOAJ in 2021, due to ceased publication or publisher de-listing. Conclusions include a caution about the potential of the APC model to increase costs beyond inflation. The university sector may be the most promising approach to economically sustainable no-fee OA journals. Universities publish many OA journals, nearly half of OA articles, tend not to charge APCs and when APCs are charged, the prices are very low on average.

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Filed under: Data Files, News, Open Access, Publishing