What is the “open access” version?

Created by Margie Wylie-Petruzziello, Modified on Thu, 20 Jun 2019 at 12:43 AM by Margie Wylie-Petruzziello

With traditional publishers of "closed" journals, the "author's final manuscript" is usually the open access version. This is the final version of the reviewed manuscript minus the publication's final formatting and any publisher-supplied assets, such as figures, photos, or drawings.

However, with the proliferation of journals that are completely open access (like the PLoS journals) and with closed journals now offering an array of open access options, what constitutes the open access version can vary. The table below offers some general rules of thumb. When depositing, you can check the "Sherpa / RoMEO" advice tab in the publications system. You can also access SHERPA/RoMEO directly. Another useful resource is the Directory of Open Access Journals.


OA RULES OF THUMB
Open Access Journal	⇒	Upload the published version (or link to it) or the “author’s final manuscript”
Closed Journal, but paid “open access” fees	⇒	Upload the published version (or link to it) or the “author’s final manuscript”
Closed Journal (subscription only)	⇒	Upload the “author’s final manuscript”