Week in Links — May 16

What has been happening in the world of Open Access in the last week (or two)?

On Wednesday (May 14, 2014), SPARC, EIFL, and COAR, among other open access movement efforts, have released statements expressing that the use of short-term embargoes to aid in protecting publishers’ revenues during their transition to other business models, is an acceptable transitional mechanism. Generally, each group’s statement explicitly acknowledges that these embargoes are not a permanent solution but serve as an appropriate means of transition and should be used resourcefully.

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Such news has already seen critical response by science communication bloggers as illustrated on PLOS Blogs.

An article in Inside Higher Ed describes the response to another transition mechanism that entails partnerships among stakeholders to allocate and direct funds. This model is detailed in a white paper written by R. Kennison and L. Norberg who’s focus is primarily on open access publishing of humanities and social science journals.

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The Library at University of Bath has drawn attention to Open Access Button, on its blog, encouraging those who search for research materials to help develop awareness of paywall issues.

Interesting findings by Canadian Science Publishing, in a report that focuses on science publishing trends, in 2014, finds that authors do not, overwhelmingly, choose to publish in open access journals despite their equally overwhelming desire to see open access be the standard outcome of published research. An opinion article, from The Scholarly Kitchen, does a good job of connecting the pertinent data to the issue at large.

Springer, a major publisher that offers a variety of open access options to its contributors, has announced that it will collaborate with five Japanese societies on an open access journal that focuses on earth sciences, Earth, Planets, and Space.