Open Access Publishing Models: Opportunity or Threat to Scholarly and Academic Publishers

Christine Lamb

SCI200401

6 February 2004
Version 1.0
28 Pages

Report Profile and Executive Summary (PDF)

Table of Contents (PDF)

Since the introduction of the Web, scholarly peer-reviewed journal publishers have been wrestling with how to survive and thrive in a market that facilitates and encourages the free exchange of electronic content when their traditional business models are heavily reliant on print-based pricing and distribution. One emerging alternative to traditional journal is “open access” – providing lawful free access to journal content online and funding its production through other models such as charging contributors for the privilege of peer review and branded publishing. This report defines the major attributes of the open access movement, analyzes the marketplace for open access, its business models and drivers, cost structures and funding, highlights and analyzes the major product and marketing attributes and overall effectiveness of six open access providers: BioMed Central, the Public Library of Science, The Scientific World, the Public Knowledge Project, The Berkeley Electronic Press and The Company of Biologists.