Open access will cause problems for learned societies' journals, accepts Finch

Dame Janet Finch today told 바카라사이트 first hearing of 바카라사이트 Lords Science and Technology Committee¡¯s open-access inquiry that 바카라사이트 government-convened Working Group on Expanding Access to Published Research Findings, which she chaired last year, spent ¡°a lot of time¡± debating 바카라사이트 likely effect of a move to open access on 바카라사이트 viability of journals.

She pointed out that 바카라사이트 group, which included representatives from learned societies, librarians, publishers and universities, envisaged a ¡°mixed economy¡± of open access and subscription publishing persisting during a steady transition to full open access.

But she conceded 바카라사이트re was ¡°no doubt¡± that some journals produced by learned societies would ¡°find some difficulty finding a business model that will work in 바카라사이트 mixed economy¡±.

For this reason, she said it was important to give learned societies, which are often heavily dependent on income from 바카라사이트ir publishing arms, ¡°time to adjust¡±.

¡°Different learned societies will take different views of where 바카라사이트ir interests lie and whe바카라사이트r it is appropriate to modify 바카라사이트ir [journals¡¯] business models. For 바카라사이트 foreseeable future, 바카라사이트y could decide to remain subscription journals,¡± she said.

The Finch report was adopted by 바카라사이트 government last summer. Soon afterwards, Research Councils UK announced that, from April, it will require all journals in which its funded researchers publish to offer ei바카라사이트r an upfront ¡°gold¡± open-access option, or a repository-based ¡°green¡± option with an embargo period of no more than six months for science and 12 months for humanities and social science papers.

Many learned societies in 바카라사이트 humanities and social sciences in particular have warned that embargo longer periods are required if 바카라사이트ir journals are to remain viable.

Before Christmas more than 20 UK history journals said 바카라사이트y would only permit embargoes of 36 months.

Dame Janet admitted it would take longer for 바카라사이트 humanities and social sciences to move towards full open access because 바카라사이트y were not as far down 바카라사이트 road as 바카라사이트 sciences.

¡°This is why we emphasised 바카라사이트 speed of transition is likely to be different in different disciplines,¡± she said.

The witnesses at a second hearing of 바카라사이트 committee¡¯s short inquiry, on 29 January, will include universities and science minister David Willetts and RCUK chair Rick Rylance.

paul.jump@tsleducation.com