The Open Journal of Astrophysics
Download as PPT, PDF1 like465 views
The document discusses the principles and challenges of open access in astrophysics research, differentiating between 'green' and 'gold' open access models. It argues that public access to research funded by taxpayers is essential and critiques the traditional academic journal system, suggesting that it may be redundant in the face of platforms like arXiv. Additionally, it highlights the importance of making all data and analysis available for reproducibility, advocating for community-reviewed journals as a more effective publication model.
The Open Journal of Astrophysics
- 1. Research Week Open Science: The View from Astrophysics Peter Coles (@telescoper)
- 2. Open Access: Green and Gold •Roughly Speaking: •“Green”= “free” to authors and readers (e.g. arXiv, institutional repositories, etc) •“Gold”= free to readers, paid for by authors (via “Author Processing Charge”) •Open Access of some form is mandatory for some funding agencies.. 9 October 2018
- 3. •Most research in my field (and other “blue skies” subjects) is funded by the tax payer, so the tax payer should have access to it. •Public trust (climate change, fracking..) •Open science is better science •Does Open Access go far enough? •Everything needed to reproduce the results should be made public: data, analysis tools, the lot… Why Open Access?
- 5. •Most new astrophysics research has been available via “Green” Open Access via the arXiv for > 25 years. •Running costs are <$1M, met by donations •Despite decreasing publication costs, subscriptions to traditional academic publications have increased •Huge profits for private companies and Learned Societies •NASA/ADS has historical papers back to 19th century •Do we need these journals at all? Why Academic Journals?
- 6. • Does Peer Review really “add value”? • Peer Review is not done by the journals, but academics (i.e. you and me), usually for free. • With a more radical publication model, peer review could be much more effective.. • Astrophysics already leads in “citizen science”, e.g. “Galaxy Zoo”. • Is BICEP2 (http://bicepkeck.org/) a taste of the future? Peer Review
- 10. •The arXiv and NASA/ADS systems have already made traditional journals virtually redundant •Most papers are submitted to arXiv before peer review •Gold Open Access is simply a rip-off •The Open Journal for Astrophysics ia a free, open access, community-reviewed “journal” based on the arXiv •Published by Maynooth Academic Publishing! The Open Journal of Astrophysics
- 11. 9 October 2018
- 12. Any questions? Thank you for listening! Any Questions? 9 October 2018