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Should open access lead to closed research? The trends towards paying to perform research

Author

Listed:
  • Lin Zhang

    (Wuhan University
    Wuhan University
    KU Leuven)

  • Yahui Wei

    (Wuhan University
    Wuhan University)

  • Ying Huang

    (Wuhan University
    Wuhan University
    KU Leuven)

  • Gunnar Sivertsen

    (Nordic Institute for Studies in Innovation, Research and Education (NIFU))

Abstract

Open Access (OA) emerged as an important transition in scholarly publishing worldwide during the past two decades. So far, this transition is increasingly based on article processing charges (APC), which create a new paywall on the researchers’ side. Publishing is part of the research process and thereby necessary to perform research. This study analyses the global trends towards paying to perform research by combing observed trends in publishing from 2015 to 2020 with an APC price list. APC expenses have sharply increased among six countries with different OA policies: the USA, China, the UK, France, the Netherlands, and Norway. The estimated global revenues from APC among major publishers now exceed 2 billion US dollars annually. Mergers and takeovers show that the industry is moving towards APC-based OA as the more profitable business model. Research publishing will be closed to those who cannot make an institution or project money payment. Our results lead to a discussion of whether APC is the best way to promote OA.

Suggested Citation

  • Lin Zhang & Yahui Wei & Ying Huang & Gunnar Sivertsen, 2022. "Should open access lead to closed research? The trends towards paying to perform research," Scientometrics, Springer;Akadémiai Kiadó, vol. 127(12), pages 7653-7679, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:spr:scient:v:127:y:2022:i:12:d:10.1007_s11192-022-04407-5
    DOI: 10.1007/s11192-022-04407-5
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

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    2. María Bordons & Borja González-Albo & Luz Moreno-Solano, 2023. "Improving our understanding of open access: how it relates to funding, internationality of research and scientific leadership," Scientometrics, Springer;Akadémiai Kiadó, vol. 128(8), pages 4651-4676, August.
    3. Samuel A. Moore, 2023. "The Politics of Rights Retention," Publications, MDPI, vol. 11(2), pages 1-9, May.
    4. Heinz Pampel, 2023. "Promoting Open Access in Research-Performing Organizations: Spheres of Activity, Challenges, and Future Action Areas," Publications, MDPI, vol. 11(3), pages 1-21, September.
    5. Qianjin Zong & Zhihong Huang & Jiaru Huang, 2023. "Can open access increase LIS research’s policy impact? Using regression analysis and causal inference," Scientometrics, Springer;Akadémiai Kiadó, vol. 128(8), pages 4825-4854, August.

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