Talk:Open Access

Thoughts on publication strategies

• Could an open access journal use the wiki platform, with login limited to editors (and reviewers), to keep costs low and maintain effective search options?

Evolution of an open access publication

1. The manuscript (MS) is put on-line as submitted (pdf for permanent track-record). The on-line access may be (a) open for all, or (b) open for the editors only (??).
2. An alert is circulated to all editors and to selected reviewers, who should add their comments non-anonymously to the website, within a defined time frame (e.g. 1 month or 3 weeks). The editors and invited reviewers may modify their evaluation during the editorial period, and discuss evaluations of other editors/reviewers. Since all information is open-source, any conflict of interests are transparent (e.g. if an editor is an author). The authors get an immediate feedback from the on-line comments if access is 'open for all'.
3. A specific editor (without conflict of interest) is nominated to summarize all comments, taking into account conflicts of interests (if editors are authors), and reach a first-level decision: Is the MS to be considered for (a) final publication, (b) revision, (c) rejection (pdf for permanent track-record). Authors may respond to rejections, and a different editor will reach a final evaluation.
4. Upon request of the authors, a finally rejected MS is deleted. Alternatively, it may remain on-line as an 'unpublished MS', together with the editors comments and the rebuttal of the authors. This provides the chance of formally resubmitting an initially rejected MS with appropriate arguments.
5. Final publications (PUB) are moved from the MS to the PUB category. (The MS category may be on a different website, or in a different category of the same website.)
6. A PUB is subject to further evolution. (a) Supplementary materials may be added after publication. (b) A PUB may evolve into a new version, which may be more useful and efficient than a ‘new’ publication. (c) Readers may submit their comments to the editor, who decides on adding these comments to the website.

• Even when trying the best in completion of a publication, there is generally scope for making it better.
• Fair citation is implemented by the possibility to add references newly discovered by the authors, or upon request by readers and communicated to the editor. As a reader-friendly approach, (a) main citations may be limited to a defined number (depending on article tye), and (b) an unlimited number of references may be added under 'additional references.