Invitiation to Tender for ALPSP Open Access journals data analysisproject

[Ann Okerson <aokerson@pantheon.yale.edu>]

Of possible interest to readers of this list.

---------- Forwarded message ----------
Date: Fri, 9 Jan 2004 12:42:12 +0100
From: Sally Morris <chief-exec@alpsp.org>
To: SOAF <SPARC-OAForum@arl.org>, ALPSP Discuss <alpsp-discuss@mailbase.org.uk>,
     SSP list <ssp@lists.sspnet.org>
Subject: Invitiation to Tender for ALPSP Open Access journals data
    analysis project 

Open Access (free access for all readers to published primary research
articles) is a very appealing journals model, particularly for society
publishers who publish not only to produce surpluses with which the fund
the society's other activities, but also in furtherance of their society's
mission to promote their subject.  However, there is as yet very little
basis of fact on which individual publishers and societies can make
decisions about whether or not to abandon their existing subscription
model and move to an alternative cost recovery model which enables Open
Access.

A significant number of journal publishers are in fact experimenting with
Open Access models;  the majority are seeking payment of publication
charges, either for all articles, or on an optional basis.  In addition,
there are some publishers whose experience with the Open Access model is
leading them to move away from it to a more traditional subscription
model.

What is needed is a rigorous analysis of the data which is being collected
by these various publishers, in order to establish not just the financial
parameters and ultimate viability of Open Access models, but also the
effect of Open Access on other factors such as author submissions,
acceptance/rejection rate, usage statistics and - ultimately - citations.  
ALPSP is therefore seeking to carry out a study which will collect and
analyse as much relevant data as possible from an international range of
publishers;  a list is already available of some 10 publishers who have
volunteered to participate.  It is envisaged that the data analysis will
be completed in the second half of 2004, unless there is a strong argument
for spending more time.

I would be happy to send a copy of the Invitation to Tender to anyone who
is interested in quoting for this project.  I would also be delighted to
hear from additional publishers who would be willing to share their data
with the selected researcher.

NOTE NEW EMAIL ADDRESS - PLEASE UPDATE YOUR RECORDS.   THANKS!

Sally Morris, Chief Executive
Association of Learned and Professional Society Publishers
South House, The Street, Clapham, Worthing, West Sussex BN13 3UU, UK

Phone:  +44 (0)1903 871686 Fax:  +44 (0)1903 871457 
E-mail:  chief-exec@alpsp.org
ALPSP Website  http://www.alpsp.org

Our journal, Learned Publishing, is included in the 
ALPSP Learned Journals Collection, www.alpsp-collection.org
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