Purpose Open-access mega-journals (OAMJs) represent an increasingly important part of the scholarly communication landscape. OAMJs, such as PLOS ONE , are large scale, broad scope journals that operate open access business model (normally based on article-processing charges), and which employ a novel form peer review, focussing scientific “soundness” eschewing judgement novelty or importance. The purpose this paper is to examine discourses relating their place within publishing, considers...

This article investigates the awareness of scholarly authors toward open access repositories and factors that motivate their use these repositories. The reports on findings obtained from a mixed methods approach which involved questionnaire returned by over 3000 respondents, supplemented four focus groups held across Europe in summer 2009. research found although there was good understanding appreciation ethos general, were clear differences between scholars different disciplinary...

In this paper we present the first comprehensive bibliometric analysis of eleven open-access mega-journals (OAMJs). OAMJs are a relatively recent phenomenon, and have been characterised as having four key characteristics: large size; broad disciplinary scope; Gold-OA business model; peer-review policy that seeks to determine only scientific soundness research rather than evaluate novelty or significance work. Our investigation focuses on modes analysis: journal outputs (the number articles...

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to better understand the theory and practice peer review in open-access mega-journals (OAMJs). OAMJs typically operate a “soundness-only” policy aiming evaluate only rigour an article, not novelty or significance research its relevance particular community, with these elements being left for “the community decide” post-publication. Design/methodology/approach reports results interviews 31 senior publishers editors representing 16 different organisations,...

This paper presents the results of two complementary surveys undertaken in 2008 as part a wider project investigating effects and impact open access to research outputs UK. The institutional view, from survey academic librarians, is compared researchers' perceptions practices. Researchers were largely unaware their institutions' policies with regard access, or whether they had an repository. Reasons for making available on not doing so, sought, role material resource investigated. found that...

Purpose This paper aims to report on the findings of second phase Behavioural strand EC‐funded PEER project ( http://www.peerproject.eu/ ). The seeks explore authors' and readers' behaviours in relation peer‐reviewed accepted manuscripts open access repositories. Design/methodology/approach research was undertaken using a mixed‐method approach, involving distribution survey by 12 participating publishers their authors selected journal titles participatory workshop with European researchers...

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to provide insights into publication practices from the perspective academics working within four disciplinary communities: biosciences, astronomy/physics, education and history. explores ways in which these multiple overlapping communities intersect with journal landscape implications for adoption use new players scholarly communication system, particularly open-access mega-journals (OAMJs). OAMJs (e.g. PLOS ONE Scientific Reports ) are large, broad...

This article investigates the value, and perceptions of academic libraries to teaching research staff by examining working relationships between departments in universities. Eight case studies were undertaken US, UK Scandinavia. Primary findings analysed triangulated with a series short surveys ascertain whether they resonated other librarians’ experiences. The offers examples good practice area partnership building for improve their value to, or by, staff, as well raise profile better...

Abstract This paper takes a cross‐disciplinary perspective in examining the views and practices of public engagement with research by UK academics. Using mixed method approach consisting survey questionnaire interviews, identifies range audience groups that can potentially be engaged academics, shows some audiences are more relevant to particular disciplinary than others. The also various activities undertaken academics finds using creative ways engaging public, such as services relations...

Open‐access mega‐journals (OAMJs) are characterized by their large scale, wide scope, open‐access (OA) business model, and “soundness‐only” peer review. The last of these controversially discounts the novelty, significance, relevance submitted articles assesses only “soundness.” This article reports results an international survey authors ( n = 11,883), comparing responses OAMJ with those other OA subscription journals, drawing comparisons between different OAMJs. Strikingly, showed a low...

Open-Access Mega-Journals (OAMJs) are a relatively new and increasingly important publishing phenomenon. The journal Medicine is in the unique position of having transitioned 2014 from being ‘traditional’ highly-selective to OAMJ model. This study compares bibliometric profile before after its transition Three standard modes analysis employed, based on data Web Science: output volume, author characteristics, citation analysis. journal’s article seen have grown hugely since conversion an...

This article explores the cultural characteristics of three open access ( OA )‐friendly disciplines (physics, economics, and clinical medicine) ways in which those influence perceptions, motivations, behaviors toward green . The empirical data are taken from two online surveys European authors. Taking a domain analytic approach, analysis draws on B echer T rowler's (2001) W hitley's (2000) theories to gain deeper understanding why repositories OAR ) play particularly important role chosen...

This paper is the first of two Learned Publishing articles in which we report results a series interviews with senior publishers and editors exploring open access megajournals ( OAMJs ). Megajournals (of PLoS One best known example) represent relatively new approach to scholarly communication can be characterized as large, broad‐scope, journals that take an innovative peer review, basing acceptance decisions solely on technical or scientific soundness article. model often said support...

This paper is the second of two Learned Publishing articles in which we report results a series interviews, with senior publishers and editors exploring open access megajournals ( OAMJs ). Megajournals (of PLoS One best known example) represent relatively new approach to scholarly communication can be characterized as large, broad‐scope, journals, take an innovative peer review, basing acceptance decisions solely on technical or scientific soundness article. Based interviews 31 editors, this...

A literature review of the development Balanced Scorecard in libraries was used to develop a series hypotheses on main characteristics its implementation, use and outcomes. These were tested via an electronic questionnaire sent sample 49 academic, public national worldwide known be using Scorecard, with 15 respondents. The results show that key driver for most improve library management; considerable support needed developing framework; selecting Key Performance Indicators challenging...

Examines SHERPA/RoMEO publisher open access (OA) policy information for 100 publishers over a 13 year period (2004–2016) to consider whether their size, type or country (UK US) affected the development of OA time. A publisher’s RoMEO colour code, they offered Gold option, and mean number restrictions as when, how where papers may be self-archived, were all mapped. Kruskal–Wallis tests run assess differences between 2004 2016 positions statistically significant. Finds that growth Green...

The purpose of this paper is to provide insights into publication practices from the perspective academics working within four disciplinary communities: biosciences, astronomy/physics, education and history. explores ways in which these multiple overlapping communities intersect with journal landscape implications for adoption use new players scholarly communication system, particularly open-access mega-journals (OAMJs). OAMJs (e.g. PLOS ONE Scientific Reports) are large, broad scope,...