Research journal articles are a prominent focus for Open Access (OA). When scholars publish under this model, their works are provided at no cost to the user and are available to all via online access. Other benefits associated with OA include wider readership and worldwide impact. There are considerations to make, however, for individuals looking to publish OA. There may be other costs associated with publishing, strategies for discerning reliable publishers, and considerations for compliance with funders.
This section provides useful tools that you can use to help you evaluate Open Access journals to determine if they are a good fit for your research and are credible, reliable publishers. In addition to these resources, we also recommend starting your evaluation process using Think. Check. Submit, a cross-industry initiative to aid in identifying trusted journals and publishers developed by organizations, such as the Directory of Open Access Journals (DOAJ).
If you have questions or need more information about evaluating journals for your research and scholarship, you can contact Sarah Norris, Scholarly Communication Librarian, or schedule an appointment. The Office of Scholarly Communication also offers workshops for graduate students and postdoctoral scholars on this topic every semester through the College of Graduate Studies' Pathways to Success workshop series.