This document provides an overview of open access (OA) publishing, highlighting its importance for wider accessibility and impact of research. It explains two main types of OA: gold, where the final article is freely accessible immediately after publication at a fee, and green, where articles are made available in repositories without author fees. Additional resources for understanding OA and its implications are also included.

1. Open Access
for dummies
A brief guide
Andrea Hajek, PhD
Your Editing Alternative

2. What is open access (OA)?
• When your publication is made available online
to anyone, at no cost for the readers
• Why is this important? Because your work is
made accessible to more people, and therefore
has a wider reach
• Also, if you have a funder, they will be glad to
see that the funded research has broader impact,
precisely because it is available to a wider
audience
Source: Springer, What is open access? https://www.springer.com/gp/authors-
editors/authorandreviewertutorials/open-access/what-is-open-access/10286522

3. Types of OA: gold
• The final version of an article is freely and
permanently accessible for everyone,
immediately after publication
• Copyright is retained by the author
• The author pays the journal a fee
• Can be published either in fully open access
journals or hybrid journals (i.e. subscription-
based journals that offer an open access option)
Source: Springer, What is open access? https://www.springer.com/gp/authors-
editors/authorandreviewertutorials/open-access/what-is-open-access/10286522

4. Types of OA: green
• A version of an article is put into a repository or
on the author's institutional website*, making it
freely accessible for everyone
• NB the version that can be deposited into a
repository is dependent on the funder or
publisher
• The copyright usually sits with the publisher
• No fees for the author
Source: Springer, What is open access? https://www.springer.com/gp/authors-
editors/authorandreviewertutorials/open-access/what-is-open-access/10286522

5. More information
• LSE blog article on transparent reporting on
article processing charges, by Dirk Pieper
• Overview of fully open access journals: Directory
of Open Access Journals
• Open Sciences article on Green OA vs. Gold OA.
Which one to choose? by Witold Kieńć

6. Want help?
I’m the Managing Editor of a prestigious,
interdisciplinary and peer-reviewed journal,
and I have also published myself.
Visit my website to find out what services I
offer:
https://youreditingalternative.com/