From Paywalls to Open Access: The Influence of
Journals on Postgraduate Research
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Table of Contents
Introduction .............................................................................................................. 3
Research objectives................................................................................................. 4
Research Questions................................................................................................. 5
Literature Review ..................................................................................................... 5
Methodology ..............................................................Error! Bookmark not defined.
Reference ................................................................................................................ 10
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Introduction
The success of postgraduate research - a vital aspect of scientific discovery depends on access to scholarly journals. Through postgraduate research, novel
discoveries are made, existing theories are challenged, and new knowledge is
generated (Fleming et al. 2021). According to Schiltz (2018), scientific progress
builds on previously established research findings and can only reach its full
potential if all research outcomes are freely available to the scientific community.
From the outset, traditional subscription journals have held a monopoly on
disseminating scholarly research articles. A study by O'Doherty & Boissy (2009)
explored the various benefits of traditional subscription journals and how they
contribute to disseminating knowledge in the academic community. The study is
particularly relevant in the current academic publishing landscape, where there is a
growing interest in open access (OA) publishing, an alternative model to traditional
subscription journals. They found that subscription journals provide researchers with
a dependable source of peer-reviewed, high-quality research, which is critical to their
academic and professional advancement. The journals are typically indexed and
easily searchable, making it easier for researchers to access relevant literature in
their field of study.
In the last decades, traditional subscription journal practices have faced increasing
criticism and have been deemed unsustainable by leading universities and academic
libraries (Gershenson, Polikoff & Wang, 2020). These subscription paywalls not only
impede researchers’ access to information but also limit the dissemination and
therefore the visibility of their work (Day et al., 2020). Harvard University’s 2012
statement that it could no longer afford the rising journal publishing prices, which
exceeded inflation significantly, is an example of this trend (The Guardian, 2012). At
the same time, there is growing evidence that universities and academic libraries are
spending substantial money to access academic journals (Okada, 2018; Bjork,
2021). Subscription-based models may not be the most viable option for ensuring
reasonable and inclusive access to scholarly research. This limitation on access has
long been a concern for scholars, particularly those in developing countries or those
without access to well-funded academic institutions (Boudry et al., 2019). According
to a recent study by Larivière et al. (2018), more than 80% of scholarly articles
published between 2014 and 2016 were only available through paywalled journals,
and a mere 28% of scholarly publications were OA (Day et al., 2020). As a result,
most academic information can only be accessed through a paid subscription, either
individually or institutionally.
Given these challenges, the OA movement has gained momentum, with more
journals making their articles freely available to researchers (Veena, 2016) This shift
from paywalls to OA has significant implications for researchers, including increased
access to journals, lower research costs, and improved scholarship visibility (Shabir
2014; Van Noorden, 2013).
OA has become popular since the early 2000s, with the Budapest Open Access
Initiative in 2002 and the Berlin Declaration on Open Access to Knowledge in the
Sciences and Humanities in 2003 (Suber, 2012). Since then, many major academic
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publishers have adopted OA policies, and there has been a rise in OA journals
(Bahlai et al., 2019).
Recent studies have shown that OA articles are more widely read and cited than
articles behind paywalls (Joshua, 2022, Long, Drown & El Amin 2023). Furthermore,
they provide researchers access to journals they might not otherwise have been able
to afford. Accessing academic journals can be a significant burden for postgraduate
researchers, who are often working with limited resources.
Nevertheless, it is important to note that not all studies have come to the same
conclusions about the impact of OA journals. Some studies have found that OA
journals can also negatively impact the quality of research and publication standards
and raise concerns about their sustainability (Wicherts & Derrick 2016; Mills &
Inouye, 2021). Again, the impact of OA journals on postgraduate research may vary
depending on the discipline and field of study and individual OA journals’ specific
policies and practices (Paret et al., 2022). For example, some OA journals may
require authors to pay fees for publishing their research, which can create barriers
for postgraduate researchers who may not have the financial resources to do so
(Holly 2020).
In light of these developments, this literature review will examine the impact of
journals on postgraduate researchers and the effect of the OA movement on
disseminating scientific discoveries. To begin, this review will discuss the traditional
journal model, including the role of paywalls and their limitations on access to
research. Then, it will provide an overview of the OA movement, including its history,
goals, and benefits. Next, the review will examine the impact of OA on postgraduate
research, including improved access to research, increased citation rates, and cost
savings for researchers. Finally, the review will consider potential drawbacks of OA,
including concerns about the quality of OA journals and the sustainability of OA
publishing models.
Research objectives
1. To evaluate postgraduate students’ usage of OA journals in their research and study
activities.
2. To critically evaluate the benefits and drawbacks of using OA journals for
postgraduate students in terms of their academic success and career development
prospects.
3. To determine the role of OA journals in shaping the research culture and academic
communities among postgraduate students.
4. To investigate the challenges and barriers that postgraduate students face in
accessing and using OA journals and to identify ways to overcome these challenges.
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Research Questions
1. How does access to OA journals impact the research productivity of postgraduate
reseacher?
2. What resources do postgraduate reseacher use to obtain access to OA journal
articles?
3. How does the availability of free online content impact postgraduate reseachers’
preference for traditional versus OA journal articles?
4. Are there any variations in usage habits among postgraduate researchers across
different disciplines regarding OA journals?
Literature Review
Importance of access to research literature
The role of research literature in developing new ideas and advancing knowledge
cannot be overstated. Journals have long been considered an essential tool for
postgraduate researchers to stay informed about the latest research trends and
methodologies (Fleming et al., 2021). Through reading and critically analysing
existing literature, postgraduate researchers can conduct rigorous and innovative
research, build on existing knowledge, and advance their respective fields (Fecher,
et al., 2015).
In addition to facilitating individual research projects, access to scholarly publications
enables postgraduate researchers to share their findings with other researchers and
participate in ongoing conversations within their respective fields (Hyunha , et al.,
2022). This, in turn, can lead to new collaborations, insights, and breakthroughs that
would not be possible without access to scholarly publications
However, access to scholarly publications can be challenging, especially for
postgraduate researchers needing more financial means to purchase expensive
academic journal subscriptions or access a well-equipped library (Van Noorden,
2013). In many cases, paywalls can restrict access to vital research literature,
making it difficult for postgraduate researchers to stay up-to-date with the latest
findings and contribute to ongoing research in their field.
The impact of paywalls on postgraduate research
The traditional subscription journal is a well-established academic publishing model
utilised for many years (Ramalho & Teixeira, 2005). In this model, academic journals
are published by either commercial or non-profit publishers, making their content
accessible to subscribers who pay subscription fees (Pastorino et al., 2016).
The traditional subscription journal is renowned for its quality control, which is
provided through peer reviews, and ensures that the research published in these
journals meets rigorous academic standards (Ramalho & Teixeira, 2005). This
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suggests that subscription journals still play an essential role in shaping the
academic debate.
This model has faced increasing scrutiny recently due to concerns regarding access,
cost, and the evolving scholarly communication landscape (Gershenson, Polikoff &
Wang, 2020). This can significantly impact postgraduate research, creating
difficulties for students accessing the scholarly publications they need to conduct
rigorous and innovative research.
A 2017 study found that only 68% of articles are freely available, whilst articles from
prestigious publishers such as Elsevier, Springer, Routledge, and
Universitetsforlaget (Norway's most prominent academic publisher) are not
accessible. Subscription fees for academic journals can be prohibitively high,
especially for postgraduate researchers who may not have access to institutional
resources or funding to cover these costs. This can limit their ability to access the
latest research findings and stay up-to-date with field developments (Susanne,
2017).
Similarly, an Iyandemye & Thomas (2019) study found that more than 50% of newlypublished research is only available via institutional licenses or paid publishers,
despite OA publications growing over time. Restricted access to scholarly
publications can also limit the scope of research that postgraduates can undertake.
Without access to the full range of existing research literature, researchers may not
be able to fully explore the nuances of their topics or develop new ideas that build on
existing research. This can limit the quality and depth of their research and may
prevent them from making significant contributions to their field (Hamad, et al.,
2008).
Despite these challenges, the traditional subscription journal model remains the
dominant mode of scholarly publishing, and many researchers continue to publish in
these journals. A recent article by Day et al. (2020) shows that paywalls are still
widespread in medical research, with only a small percentage of scholarly
publications currently available as OA. Another study shows that only 28% of
scholarly publications are available for OA (Björk & Solomon 2012).
However, there is growing recognition of the need to reform the system to make it
more open, transparent, and accessible to researchers (Gershenson, 2020). The
increasing demand for OA publishing has led to alternative models, such as the
“author pays” model, in which authors pay to publish their research and make the
article freely available to readers (Suber, 2012).
Open access as a solution
The shift from paywalls to OA has significantly changed the availability and
accessibility of research journals, particularly for postgraduate research
(Gershenson, 2020). OA publishing, which allows free and unrestricted access to
scholarly articles, has grown significantly over the past two decades (Piwowar et al.,
2018). The study found that the number of OA articles has doubled since 2009, with
nearly 30% of all scholarly literature now available as OA. Another study by
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Larivière, Haustein, and Mongeon (2015) found that OA articles are more highly
cited than those published in traditional subscription-based journals.
The roots of the OA movement can be traced back to the Budapest Open Access
Initiative (BOAI) in 2002, which provided a framework for OA publishing (Budapest
Open Access Initiative, 2002). The BOAI called for “free availability and unrestricted
use” of scholarly articles and encouraged researchers to deposit their work in online
repositories or publish in OA journals. Since then, many OA publishers and
repositories have emerged, including the Public Library of Science (PLOS), BioMed
Central, and the Directory of Open Access Journals (DOAJ) (Björk & Solomon, 2012)
One key development in the history of OA publishing is the growth of Article
Processing Charges (APCs), which enable publishers to cover the costs of making
articles freely available online (Björk & Solomon, 2012). This can lead to a more
informed and engaged academic community, where researchers can stay up-to-date
with field developments.
Another significant breakthrough is the increasing adoption of OA policies by funding
agencies and universities, which require grantees to publish their research in OA
platforms (Piwowar et al., 2018). This approach can foster greater collaboration and
knowledge sharing among postgraduate researchers, leading to more innovative and
cutting-edge research that pushes the boundaries in a given field.
In addition to increasing access to research literature, another study by Gershenson,
Polikoff & Wang (2020), revealed that implementing an OA model for specific
journals over a short time period significantly increased article downloads from 55%
to 95% per month. Based on a per-article download price of $36, reverting to a
traditional publishing model would incur significant financial implications for
researchers. This significant effect on downloads implies that many individuals
interested in education research face barriers due to paywalls, resulting in missed
opportunities for potential readership each month.
All these factors mean Open access provides considerable economic benefits both
in the short term and long term, which is highly beneficial for postgraduate students
seeking to publish their research on a budget.
Challenges and limitations of open access
While OA publishing model has enabled rapid dissemination of knowledge and
higher citation levels, unfortunately, predatory journals have exploited this model
and, in some instances, have published non-peer-reviewed or low-quality work
(Bagues, et al., 2019; O'Kelly, et al., 2019). This could decrease the quality of
research literature and lead to difficulties in distinguishing between high-quality and
low-quality research.
Pastorino et al. (2016) reported on a 2013 study that revealed inadequate scrutiny of
several OA journals. The author submitted 304 versions of an imperfect manuscript
under a fake identity to various OA journals over ten months to demonstrate this.
Astonishingly, over 50% of the journals accepted the manuscript, with 60% deciding
without a formal peer review process.
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Another study by Tripathi, et al., 2019, shows that OA journals reported more
retractions than subscription-based journals. Out of 4,716 retractions reported, 40
explicitly mentioned plagiarism, falsified data and manipulation of images and figures
as reasons for retracting the published article.
According to Wicherts, 2016, the reason for the low quality of OA peer review can be
partly explained by the business model, which generates funds by accepting papers.
Editorial decisions could be compromised if economic factors are not adequately
separated from the peer review process.
Björk and colleagues (2021) have suggested that Predatory OA journals can
severely damage academic institutions' reputations and negatively affect the careers
of postgraduate researchers who publish in them. The number of articles published
in predatory journals has surged from 53,000 in 2010 to an estimated 420,000 in
2014, with approximately 8,000 active journals involved in this practice (Shen &
Björk 2015). Postgraduate researchers, in particular, are vulnerable to predatory OA
journals due to their limited experience navigating the academic publishing
landscape. Postgraduate researchers are likelier to publish in predatory OA journals
than established scholars.
Dadkhah and Bianciardi (2020) conducted another study and found that publishing in
predatory OA journals could harm the academic reputation of postgraduate
researchers and impede their career advancement. They recommend that
researchers carefully assess the quality of journals before submitting their work for
publication.
Moreover, Xia and colleagues (2015) have demonstrated that predatory OA journals
can harm research quality by providing a platform for publishing low-quality research
without undergoing thorough peer review. This could have a negative impact on the
credibility of academic research, including that of postgraduate researchers.
The future of open access
The issue of paywalls and limited access to research is a complex and ongoing
debate in the academic community. While paywalls have traditionally been viewed
as necessary for the financial sustainability of academic publishing, the rise of OA
journals and alternative funding models has challenged this assumption
According to et al. (2018), OA publishing has continued to grow, with nearly 30% of
all scholarly literature now available as OA. This growth can benefit postgraduate
students by providing access to a larger body of research that may not have been
available through traditional subscription-based journals.
For postgraduate researchers, the growth of OA publishing could significantly impact
the research landscape. OA publishing models could provide more significant
opportunities for postgraduates to publish their work and gain recognition within their
fields. Additionally, OA publishing models could encourage more collaborative
research practices, as researchers from different institutions and regions are able to
access the same resources and publications.
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The potential implications of OA publishing for the broader academic community are
also significant. OA publishing could lead to changes in publishing practices, as
traditional publishers may need to adapt to compete with OA models. Additionally,
OA publishing could lead to changes in funding models, as funding bodies may
begin to prioritise OA publications over traditional publications.
Finally, OA publishing could lead to changes in academic culture, as scholars may
begin to prioritise quality and collaboration over prestige and impact factor. This
could create a more inclusive academic community, emphasizing equity and
resource access.
Methodology
The primary research method for this study is quantitative and involves using a
survey and questionnaire to gather data.
Survey
The survey will use a combination of Likert-scale and open-ended questions to
gather quantitative and qualitative data, similar to a January and February 2014
study that collected responses to an online survey of data publication practices and
perceptions, which received 281 individual responses (Kratz & Strasser, 2015).
Data sampling
To ascertain that the survey results accurately represent the postgraduate
researchers, the survey will use a convenience sampling method to ensure a
sufficient sample size that can provide significant results for the study (Turner, 2020).
This approach is like Kratz & Strasser's 2015 study, which examined 249 (81%)
respondents from 20 countries who were identified as active researchers in their
respective fields.
The survey will focus on three areas of investigation.
1. Postgraduate students’ experiences with OA journals and the perceived
impact of OA journals on their research productivity.
2. The specific resources that postgraduate students use to access OA journal
articles. This information will provide insight into resources such as library
databases, search engines, or specific OA journal websites.
3. Postgraduate students’ preferences for traditional and OA journal articles and
the reasons for their choices. A content analysis of both traditional and OA
journal articles could also be performed to examine the characteristics of each
type of journal, such as the quality of the research and the level of editorial
support.
Overall, the survey and questionnaire will provide valuable data to help understand
the impact of OA journals on postgraduate researchers, their resources, and
preferences when accessing academic research.
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