Open Access Uptake by Discipline

 

 

The trend in Open Access (OA) uptake for Scientific, Technical and Medical (STM) disciplines shows little variation from the overall picture because STM represents the majority of scholarly content published. STM disciplines represent 90% and Social Sciences and Humanities (SSH) 10% of global journal articles, reviews and conference papers of 2023.  The relative share of each has been consistent over the past ten years.

Both SSH and STM have seen the share of subscription-only articles fall by 27% for SSH and 18% for STM over the ten-year period.  The share of gold Open Access has increased at a higher rate than subscription which has decreased for both SSH (29%) and STM (27%) since 2013. 

 

DEFINITIONS

Gold represents those publications where the final published version of an article (Version of Record) is freely and permanently available online immediately on publication for anyone, anywhere to read. This includes articles in hybrid journals. See Methodology and Notes for more information.

Green represents those publications where a version of an article is publicly shared online, often as an Accepted Manuscript.  To support a sustainable business model, publishers may maintain an embargo and/or may retain an Exclusive License to Publish. Articles, reviews and conference papers are counted as Green open access only if they are not also Gold. See Methodology and Notes for more information.

Bronze represents those publications that are made free-to-read on the publisher’s website, but are not identified as gold for one of the following reasons: access for a limited duration, an unclear license, or a license that is clear but is not a Creative Commons license. See Methodology and Notes for more information.

Subscription-only represents those publications that are available through individual or institutional subscriptions, individual purchases, or other programs (e.g. Research4Life) but not available through Open Access.  See Methodology and Notes for more information.

 

DEFINITIONS

Gold represents those publications where the final published version of an article (Version of Record) is freely and permanently available online immediately on publication for anyone, anywhere to read. This includes articles in hybrid journals. See Methodology and Notes for more information.

Green represents those publications where a version of an article is publicly shared online, often as an Accepted Manuscript.  To support a sustainable business model, publishers may maintain an embargo and/or may retain an Exclusive License to Publish. Articles, reviews and conference papers are counted as Green open access only if they are not also Gold. See Methodology and Notes for more information.

Bronze represents those publications that are made free-to-read on the publisher’s website, but are not identified as gold for one of the following reasons: access for a limited duration, an unclear license, or a license that is clear but is not a Creative Commons license. See Methodology and Notes for more information.

Subscription-only represents those publications that are available through individual or institutional subscriptions, individual purchases, or other programs (e.g. Research4Life) but not available through Open Access.  See Methodology and Notes for more information.

 

DEFINITIONS

Gold represents those publications where the final published version of an article (Version of Record) is freely and permanently available online immediately on publication for anyone, anywhere to read. This includes articles in hybrid journals. See Methodology and Notes for more information.

Green represents those publications where a version of an article is publicly shared online, often as an Accepted Manuscript.  To support a sustainable business model, publishers may maintain an embargo and/or may retain an Exclusive License to Publish. Articles, reviews and conference papers are counted as Green open access only if they are not also Gold. See Methodology and Notes for more information.

Bronze represents those publications that are made free-to-read on the publisher’s website, but are not identified as gold for one of the following reasons: access for a limited duration, an unclear license, or a license that is clear but is not a Creative Commons license. See Methodology and Notes for more information.

Subscription-only represents those publications that are available through individual or institutional subscriptions, individual purchases, or other programs (e.g. Research4Life) but not available through Open Access.  See Methodology and Notes for more information.

 

 

The availability of gold OA

… across STM and SSH disciplines in 2023 is almost equal. . For STM, gold OA is available for 81% of articles, reviews and conference papers, while SSH is only slightly below at 78%. There is a substantial increase in the availability of gold OA across both disciplinary fields since 2013 when the option of gold OA was available for 47% of STM and 20% of SSH publications.

 

 


 

DEFINITIONS

Gold represents those publications where the final published version of an article (Version of Record) is freely and permanently available online immediately on publication for anyone, anywhere to read. This includes articles in hybrid journals. See Methodology and Notes for more information.

Green represents those publications where a version of an article is publicly shared online, often as an Accepted Manuscript.  To support a sustainable business model, publishers may maintain an embargo and/or may retain an Exclusive License to Publish. Articles, reviews and conference papers are counted as Green open access only if they are not also Gold. See Methodology and Notes for more information.

Bronze represents those publications that are made free-to-read on the publisher’s website, but are not identified as gold for one of the following reasons: access for a limited duration, an unclear license, or a license that is clear but is not a Creative Commons license. See Methodology and Notes for more information.

Subscription-only represents those publications that are available through individual or institutional subscriptions, individual purchases, or other programs (e.g. Research4Life) but not available through Open Access.  See Methodology and Notes for more information.

 
 

 

The availability of gold OA

… across STM and SSH disciplines in 2023 is almost equal. . For STM, gold OA is available for 81% of articles, reviews and conference papers, while SSH is only slightly below at 78%. There is a substantial increase in the availability of gold OA across both disciplinary fields since 2013 when the option of gold OA was available for 47% of STM and 20% of SSH publications.

 

 


 

DEFINITIONS

Gold represents those publications where the final published version of an article (Version of Record) is freely and permanently available online immediately on publication for anyone, anywhere to read. This includes articles in hybrid journals. See Methodology and Notes for more information.

Green represents those publications where a version of an article is publicly shared online, often as an Accepted Manuscript.  To support a sustainable business model, publishers may maintain an embargo and/or may retain an Exclusive License to Publish. Articles, reviews and conference papers are counted as Green open access only if they are not also Gold. See Methodology and Notes for more information.

Bronze represents those publications that are made free-to-read on the publisher’s website, but are not identified as gold for one of the following reasons: access for a limited duration, an unclear license, or a license that is clear but is not a Creative Commons license. See Methodology and Notes for more information.

Subscription-only represents those publications that are available through individual or institutional subscriptions, individual purchases, or other programs (e.g. Research4Life) but not available through Open Access.  See Methodology and Notes for more information.

 

 

STM and SSH disciplines are almost equal in their selection of gold OA

In 2023, STM and SSH authors chose gold OA 48% and 46% of the time, respectively, when it was offered. The percentage of STM publications for which the author selected gold OA when it was offered has steadily increased since 2013. The percentage of SSH publications for which the author chose gold has fluctuated a little but shows steady growth from 2020 onwards. Both STM and SSH authors are increasingly publishing gold OA year over year. 

 


 

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