Open access and the UK science and Technology select committee report Free for all?
Abstract
This guest editorial considers the arguments for and against open access
publishing, based around the UK House of Commons Select Committee for
Science and Technology's recent report Free for All? and the UK Government's
response to the Report. The advantages of open access and the two
different types of open access (open access journals and repositories) are
described. Some of the potential problems with open access, such as the lack
of a clear business model for open access journals, are also outlined. The
author concludes that whilst open access is not a panacea and will not
replace traditional scholarly publishing business models, it is here to stay
and that authors, publishers readers and librarians will have to get used to
the concept.
Publisher
University of Nairobi