Results of a PNAS author survey on an open access option for publication
- Nicholas R. Cozzarelli, Editor-in-Chief,
- Kenneth R. Fulton, Publisher, and
- Diane M. Sullenberger, Executive Editor
There is considerable discussion in the scientific community about open access journals. In an open access model, articles are available without charge to the reader; the costs of publication are paid primarily by authors and funding agencies. The advantages of their model are obvious: immediate, unfettered release of scientific results to everyone, everywhere, without the delay and cost of obtaining research articles through journal subscriptions. The difficulties with open access are equally apparent. The majority of journals depend on subscription revenue, and that stream will dry up with open access. It is unknown whether authors will be willing to make up the entire amount of this lost income or will choose to publish instead in journals that do not assess these charges. Even if a journal decides that open access is a desirable end state, it is difficult to imagine a kinetic path that does not have financial deficits at intermediate stages.
Given the uncertainties about the business model and the paucity of experience with open access, PNAS conducted a survey to determine what fraction of our authors would be willing to pay a surcharge …
