Why do we need open access publications when many journals release their content after 6–12 months?
The vast majority of journals never release their content. Furthermore, timeliness of publication is very important—to readers and to authors—and even a 6- to 12-month delay is detrimental to research, especially in the biomedical sciences. (Would you be willing to wait 6–12 months to read articles in your field?) In any case, there is no real need to restrict access to the scientific and medical literature, now that we have a better alternative. Open access, supported by publication charges, is a more efficient, effective, and equitable means to disseminate scientific and medical literature. As soon as it is published, a research paper can and should be available to all.
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- Why do we need open access publications when many journals release their content after 6–12 months?
