There are two main models of open access:
Green open access
The UniSA Open Access Policy supports green open access.
With green open access:
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Gold open access
With gold open access:
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Variations on the green and gold open access models are usually determined by the publisher or based on the fee paid for publishing in an OA journal. Examples include:
Hybrid open access
Bronze open access
Bronze open access refers to publications that are available on websites hosted by their publisher, either immediately or following an embargo, but are not formally licensed for reuse.
There are some small discounts available with some publishers for journals which are published under the gold open access model. The publishers and discounts are:
A new initiative is Read & Publish Agreements, which are being negotiated by CAUL, the Council of Australian University Librarians. The UniSA Library also independently negotiates with publishers. See the Read & Publish Agreements tab for full details of the participating publishers, journals, and conditions.
To help choose a journal to publish in, it is worth reviewing the publisher’s policies regarding author rights for archiving in an institutional or subject repository. Some publishers, not all, allow open access versions of non-OA material to be archived but place lengthy embargos on when the accepted manuscript can be made freely available. Although most publishers will permit an accepted manuscript be made publicly available after a 12 month embargo, some journals may apply an embargo that lasts for 4 years.
Examples of embargo periods applied by publishers include:
SHERPA/ROMEO provides a searchable database of journals and publishers' policies on OA and self-archiving and can help find more information.
Some things to do when deciding the credibility of a publisher include:
For further information see the Publishing Guide
The Directory of Open Access Journals (DOAJ) website lists and provides access to many peer reviewed, quality controlled and scholarly full text journals in a wide range of disciplines. You are able to search for a specific title, or browse by subject.