Libraries at University of Nebraska-Lincoln

 

Date of this Version

7-2023

Document Type

Article

Citation

Learned Publishing (July 2023) 36(3): 359-378

doi: 10.1002/leap.1558

Comments

Copyright 2023, the author. Open access material

License: CC BY-NC 4.0

Abstract

Abstract

Some open access (OA) publishers charge authors fees to make their articles freely available online. This paper reviews literature on article processing charges (APCs) that has been published since 2000. Despite praise for diamond OA journals, which charge no fees, most OA articles are published by commercial publishers that charge APCs. Publishers fix APCs depending on the reputation assigned to journals by peers. Evidence shows a relationship between high impact metrics and higher, faster rising APCs. Authors express reluctance about APCs, although this varies by discipline depending on previous experience of paying publication fees and the availability of research grants to cover them. Authors rely on a mix of research grants, library funds and personal assets to pay the charges. Two major concerns have been raised in relation to APCs: the inability of poorly funded authors to publish research and their impact on journal quality. Waivers have not solved the first issue. Research shows little extension of waiver use, unintended side effects on co-author networks and concerns regarding criteria to qualify for them. Bibliometric studies concur that journals that charge APCs have a similar citation impact to journals that rely on other income sources.

Key points

  • Although diamond open access (OA) journals that charge no fees are prevalent, most OA articles are published by commercial publishers that charge article processing charges (APCs).
  • The relationship between impact metrics and APCs evidences that publishers fix fees depending on the reputation assigned to journals by peers.
  • Authors express reluctance about APCs, although this varies by discipline depending on previous experience in paying publication fees and the availability of research grants to cover them.
  • As regards waivers, study suggests that their use is limited, that they may have unintended side effects on the composition of co-author networks, and that there are concerns regarding the criteria used to qualify for them.
  • Bibliometric studies concur that journals that charge APCs have a similar citation impact to journals that rely on other sources of revenue.

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