Open Access Publishing Models
Open Access Publishing Models and Licensing · Also known as: OA Publishing, Gold Open Access, Green Open Access, Diamond OA
Open access (OA) publishing removes subscription paywalls, making research freely available to all readers online without subscription fees. The Budapest Open Access Initiative (2002) defined OA as the right to read, download, copy, distribute, print, search, and link research freely. Multiple OA models exist: Gold OA (immediate free access, often author-funded via APCs), Green OA (free self-archiving in repositories), and Diamond OA (free to both authors and readers). OA expands research impact, enables global participation in science, and aligns with public funding mandates. However, OA models vary in sustainability and are sometimes exploited by predatory publishers.
Read the full method
Sign in with a free account to read this section.
Method map
The neighbourhood of related methods — select a node to explore.
When to use it
Use OA publishing when: (1) You have funder mandate requiring open access (NIH, NSF, EU Horizon Europe). (2) You want maximum readership and impact. (3) Your institution provides APC funding (many universities have OA funds). (4) You work in a field where OA is standard (physics—preprints; medicine—increasing OA adoption). Use Green OA when you publish in a subscription journal but want to make your work freely available via self-archiving. Evaluate OA journals carefully to avoid predatory publishers.
Strengths & limitations
- Removes access barriers; research is freely available globally, enabling participation from low-income regions and public audiences.
- Increases citations and impact; OA papers are read and cited more than paywalled papers.
- Aligns with public funding principles; publicly-funded research should be publicly accessible.
- Supports reproducibility and meta-analyses by enabling full text mining and data access.
- Attracts funders and institutions invested in open science and transparency.
- APCs ($1,500–$5,000) create cost barriers for authors without funding, particularly in developing countries.
- OA journals have variable quality; legitimate OA exists alongside predatory OA (both use OA label).
- Sustainability of OA models is uncertain; some journals rely on APCs alone and may struggle financially.
- Green OA is limited by embargo periods and journal policies; not all journals allow immediate self-archiving.
- Prestige and impact factors: traditionally high-prestige journals (Nature, Science, Cell) charge high APCs; perception exists that OA = lower quality (false, but persistent).
Frequently asked
Do I lose copyright if I publish open access?
No. In most OA journals, you retain copyright or grant a non-exclusive license. You can still republish (with attribution) if needed. Always check the license (e.g., CC-BY) to understand reuse rights. Some predatory journals may attempt to claim copyright; legitimate OA journals explicitly state that authors retain copyright or grant only a limited license.
Is my institution likely to cover open access costs?
Many institutions now have OA funds that cover APC costs for their researchers. Check with your library or research office. Many funders (NIH, NSF, EU) also explicitly allow APCs as grant expenses. If you lack institutional or funder support, consider Green OA (free self-archiving) or Diamond OA journals (no author fees).
Will publishing OA hurt my journal prestige?
No. High-prestige journals (PLOS Biology, eLife, Frontiers, Nature Communications) are now OA or offer OA options. Perception that OA = lower quality is outdated. Legitimate OA journals are peer-reviewed and indexed in major databases. Only predatory OA journals have lower quality. Check DOAJ to verify.
What is the difference between Green and Gold OA?
Gold OA: paid (by author) to journal, immediate open access. Green OA: free, but delayed (author self-archives in repository after embargo). Gold requires APC but is immediate. Green is free but may have delay and is limited by journal policy. Both achieve openness but with different timelines and costs.
If I publish OA, can I give the paper to anyone who asks?
Yes, if the license allows it. CC-BY and CC-BY-SA licenses allow free sharing and distribution with attribution. CC-BY-NC restricts commercial use. Always check the license on the article. Under a CC-BY license, you can email the paper to anyone, post it on your website, etc.
Sources
- Budapest Open Access Initiative (2002, revised 2012). Budapest Open Access Initiative. link ↗
- Suber, P. (2012). Open Access. MIT Press. DOI: 10.7551/mitpress/9286.001.0001 ↗
- Directory of Open Access Journals (2023). DOAJ. Public database of open access journals. link ↗
How to cite this page
ScholarGate. (2026, June 3). Open Access Publishing Models and Licensing. ScholarGate. https://scholargate.app/en/publication-ethics/open-access-publishing
Which method?
Set this method beside its closest kin and read them side by side — the library lays the books on the table; the choice is yours.
- COPE Guidelines for Publication EthicsPublication Ethics↔ compare
- Peer Review ProcessPublication Ethics↔ compare
- Predatory Journals and PublishersPublication Ethics↔ compare
- Preprint Servers in SciencePublication Ethics↔ compare