On behalf of PLOS, SPARC and OASPA I want to thank everyone who provided comments on the open access resource guide, “HowOpenIsIt?” We received more than fifty comments and are reviewing all the feedback. To date, your feedback is prompting changes to 17 of the original 27 openness components. We plan to release a final version during Open Access Week (October 22-28, 2012). We will also share a high level summary of the comments.
On behalf of PLOS, SPARC and OASPA I want to thank everyone who provided comments on the open access resource guide, “HowOpenIsIt?” We received more than fifty comments and are reviewing all the feedback. To date, your feedback is prompting changes to 17 of the original 27 openness components. We plan to release a final version during Open Access Week (October 22-28, 2012). We will also share a high level summary of the comments.
The goal of the guide is to move beyond the deceptively simple question of, “is it open access?” toward a more productive evaluation of “HowOpenIsIt?” In its finished form, this guide will provide an easily understandable, comprehensive, and quantifiable resource to help authors make informed decisions on where to publish based on publisher policies. In addition, funders and other bodies will have a resource that indicates criteria for what level of open access is required for their policies and mandates.
Together with SPARC and OASPA we are launching the guide to:
• Address confusion regarding the definition of open access
• Move the conversation from, “is it open access?” to “how open?”
• Standardize terminology
• Illustrate a continuum of “more open” versus “less open”
• Provide the ability to compare and contrast publications and policies
• Broaden the understanding of open access to a wider audience
Thanks again for all your help and support.