Overview of Open Access Publishing
Open Access (OA) literature is digital, online, free of charge, and free of most copyright and licensing restrictions. What makes it possible is the internet and the consent of the author or copyright-holder.
Some characteristics of open access journals:
- Free of charge
- Free of most copyright and licensing restrictions
- Author or copyright-holder gives consent to share works; this may allow you to retain copyright more than traditional publishing would
- Need internet to access to view articles
- article is often available online quicker than traditional publishing
- there is often a charge to the article's authors. Often called APC (Author Processing Charges) this can cost thousands of dollars. Check the journals "Information for Authors" page for details.