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Open access research outputs receive more diverse citations

Author

Listed:
  • Chun-Kai Huang

    (Curtin University)

  • Cameron Neylon

    (Curtin University)

  • Lucy Montgomery

    (Curtin University)

  • Richard Hosking

    (Curtin University)

  • James P. Diprose

    (Curtin University)

  • Rebecca N. Handcock

    (Curtin University)

  • Katie Wilson

    (Te Herenga Waka - Victoria University of Wellington)

Abstract

The goal of open access is to allow more people to read and use research outputs. An observed association between highly cited research outputs and open access has been claimed as evidence of increased usage of the research, but this remains controversial. A higher citation count also does not necessarily imply wider usage such as citations by authors from more places. A knowledge gap exists in our understanding of who gets to use open access research outputs and where users are located. Here we address this gap by examining the association between an output’s open access status and the diversity of research outputs that cite it. By analysing large-scale bibliographic data from 2010 to 2019, we found a robust association between open access and increased diversity of citation sources by institutions, countries, subregions, regions, and fields of research, across outputs with both high and medium–low citation counts. Open access through disciplinary or institutional repositories showed a stronger effect than open access via publisher platforms. This study adds a new perspective to our understanding of how citations can be used to explore the effects of open access. It also provides new evidence at global scale of the benefits of open access as a mechanism for widening the use of research and increasing the diversity of the communities that benefit from it.

Suggested Citation

  • Chun-Kai Huang & Cameron Neylon & Lucy Montgomery & Richard Hosking & James P. Diprose & Rebecca N. Handcock & Katie Wilson, 2024. "Open access research outputs receive more diverse citations," Scientometrics, Springer;Akadémiai Kiadó, vol. 129(2), pages 825-845, February.
    • Handle: RePEc:spr:scient:v:129:y:2024:i:2:d:10.1007_s11192-023-04894-0
    DOI: 10.1007/s11192-023-04894-0
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Pablo Dorta-González & Sara M. González-Betancor & María Isabel Dorta-González, 2017. "Reconsidering the gold open access citation advantage postulate in a multidisciplinary context: an analysis of the subject categories in the Web of Science database 2009–2014," Scientometrics, Springer;Akadémiai Kiadó, vol. 112(2), pages 877-901, August.
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    4. Isabel Basson & Jaco P. Blanckenberg & Heidi Prozesky, 2021. "Do open access journal articles experience a citation advantage? Results and methodological reflections of an application of multiple measures to an analysis by WoS subject areas," Scientometrics, Springer;Akadémiai Kiadó, vol. 126(1), pages 459-484, January.
    5. Václav Linkov & Kieran O’Doherty & Eunsoo Choi & Gyuseog Han, 2021. "Linguistic Diversity Index: A Scientometric Measure to Enhance the Relevance of Small and Minority Group Languages," SAGE Open, , vol. 11(2), pages 21582440211, April.
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    Cited by:

    1. Kai Nishikawa & Akiyoshi Murakami, 2025. "Does open access foster interdisciplinary citations? Decomposing open access citation advantage," Scientometrics, Springer;Akadémiai Kiadó, vol. 130(5), pages 2963-2986, May.
    2. Athanasios Mazarakis & Paula Bräuer & Isabelle Dorsch, 2025. "Evaluation of gamification as a tool for open access publishing among researchers: insights from a conjoint analysis," Scientometrics, Springer;Akadémiai Kiadó, vol. 130(2), pages 1253-1280, February.
    3. Giovanni Colavizza & Lauren Cadwallader & Marcel LaFlamme & Grégory Dozot & Stéphane Lecorney & Daniel Rappo & Iain Hrynaszkiewicz, 2024. "An analysis of the effects of sharing research data, code, and preprints on citations," PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science, vol. 19(10), pages 1-19, October.

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