How can you overcome the challenges of open access publishing?

1 Choose the right journal

One of the first steps to overcome the challenges of OA publishing is to choose the right journal for your research. There are many factors to consider, such as the scope, reputation, impact factor, peer review process, and ethical standards of the journal. You can use online tools and databases, such as DOAJ, Scopus, or Web of Science, to find OA journals that match your criteria. You can also check the journal's website, editorial board, and policies to verify its legitimacy and quality. Avoid predatory journals that charge high fees without providing proper editorial services or peer review.

3 Protect your rights

A third challenge of OA publishing is the protection of your rights as an author. When you publish your research in an OA journal, you usually have to sign a license agreement that specifies how your work can be used, shared, and cited by others. There are different types of licenses, such as Creative Commons (CC) licenses, that grant different levels of permissions and restrictions. You should read and understand the license terms carefully before signing them. You should also consider depositing your work in an institutional or disciplinary repository, such as PubMed Central or arXiv, to increase its accessibility and preservation.

4 Promote your work

A fourth challenge of OA publishing is the promotion of your work to reach a wider audience and increase its impact. While OA journals can enhance the visibility and discoverability of your research, you should also take active steps to disseminate and communicate your findings to relevant stakeholders, such as researchers, policymakers, practitioners, and the public. You can use various platforms and channels, such as social media, blogs, podcasts, webinars, or press releases, to share your work and engage with your readers. You can also use metrics and indicators, such as citations, downloads, views, or altmetrics, to measure and demonstrate the impact of your work.

5 Seek feedback and improvement

A fifth challenge of OA publishing is the feedback and improvement of your work. While peer review is an essential part of the scholarly publishing process, it is not flawless or final. You may encounter issues such as bias, inconsistency, or delay in the peer review process. You may also receive constructive criticism or suggestions for improvement from your reviewers or readers. You should be open to feedback and improvement, as they can help you refine and advance your research. You can also participate in post-publication peer review, such as commenting, rating, or endorsing articles on OA platforms, such as PubPeer or F1000Research.

6 Stay updated and informed

A sixth challenge of OA publishing is the update and information of your work. The OA publishing landscape is constantly evolving and changing, with new journals, models, policies, and standards emerging and developing. You should stay updated and informed of the latest trends and developments in OA publishing, as they can affect your choices and opportunities as an author. You can follow OA news and blogs, such as SPARC or The Scholarly Kitchen, to learn about the current issues and debates in OA publishing. You can also join OA communities and networks, such as OASPA or COAR, to exchange ideas and experiences with other OA authors and advocates.

7 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?