Open Access, Publishing Models & Journal Selection

Open Access 101, from SPARC from Karen Rustad on Vimeo.

Open Access is a publishing model that allows free, permanent and unrestricted access to scholarly research and outputs. It ensures that anyone can read, use, and build upon this scholarly content without access fees or subscription barriers. Scholarly work can also be available through the digital institutional repository, or publication through an Open Access Journal or an OA book. 

Article Processing Charges, APCs, are fees charged by journals to authors in purpose of covering the cost of publishing and making their articles freely available to the public instantly. It is associated with Open Access publishing. Since open access journals do not charge readers or institutions for access, they often rely on APCs to support editorial work, peer review, digital archiving, and hosting costs. The value of APCs depends on the estimated cost of this process.

                                                              Open Access Benefits 

Credits: Cambridge University Press. (2025). Open Access benefits [Video]. Cambridge Core. https://www.cambridge.org/core/open-research/open-access-video-resources

Researchers level:  VIBE

• Increased Visibility: OA articles are widely read and cited.
• Broader Impact: OA scholarly work reaches global audiences.
• Compliance with funder mandates: OA publishing Balances with recently updated requirements from major agencies (i.e. NIH, NSF)
• Accelerated collaboration and Engagement: OA fosters interdisciplinary and global partnerships among CU researchers .

Colleges level: SCOPE

• Stronger academic brand: among other colleges.
• Community engagement: OA research outputs become accessible to industry, policymakers, and the public
• Cross-disciplinary Opportunities: open outputs support collaboration across departments and colleges
• Increased Public visibility: with peer colleges in other universities.  
• Enhanced teaching materials: OA publications can be integrated into curricula without legal or cost barrier

The entire University: GAIN

• Promote Global exposure: By making Clemson's research freely Available, OA increases reach and citation, which boost research visibility and strengthen Clemson's profile as a Carnegie R1 institution striving toward AAU alignment. (Clemson Elevate 2: Double research by 2035)
• Increases societal Impact: OA supports demonstrate Clemson University's contribution to solving real-world problems especially contributing to improve health outcomes for South Carolinians and transform lives statewide and beyond. (Clemson Elevate 3: Service Builds Community)
• Nurtures Student experience: Undergraduates engaged in OA-driven research gain hands-on, high-impact experiences, strengthening the "No. 1 student experience" pillar. (Clemson Elevate 1: Every Student Thrives)

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