Helping science succeed
Helping science succeed

Tutorial 1: Overview

SHORT VIDEOS (44 minutes total)

  • What is open access? There are a wealth of materials that can provide a good overview of the OA landscape, from Peter Suber’s seminal 2012 book to the many instructional guides published by university libraries. Every description seemingly has its own focus, though—every advocate and critic can slice and dice these definitions because the concepts involved are nuanced, multifaceted and evolving. At a 10,000-foot level, this short video by Nick Shockey and Jonathan Eisen provides a clear and entertaining take on the fundamental motivations and philosophy behind open access publishing—why it’s important and where OA advocates would like to see it go. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L5rVH1KGBCY (PhD Comics: Oct 25, 2012)
  • What is the role of the publisher in the current model of scholarly publishing? This short video from Elsevier goes over some of the tasks that large publishers manage. This recording was made from a webcast and isn’t very high quality, but it does provide a reasonably thorough overview. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tItsmn7najc (Elsevier: Sept 12, 2012)
  • Scholarship is evolving, as well as public attitudes and expectations toward open information. To embrace these changes, cultural and structural changes are needed in scholarly communication, which will require broad and frank conversations between many stakeholder groups. In this overview by JISC (featuring several OSI2016 delegates), the growing role and importance of open scholarship is described. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B-YKZigjHSc (JISC: Oct 20, 2014)
  • A free flow of information goes to the heart of science, says OSI2016 delegate and PLOS CEO Elizabeth Marincola. Does free flow need to mean free, or is there a way to reconcile the tension between marketplace and public good? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9ztwFtF-lgA (TED: May 7, 2013)
  • Famed chemist George Whitesides gives a series of short interviews on science writing and publishing.  The single video linked below gives Whiteside’s quick take on the changing future of science communication. Also included in this collection of videos are details about the publishing process at the American Chemical Society (optional viewing). https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NHuC5yZeHYQ&index=15&list=PL6544210348021339 (ACS: April 29, 2011)

REPORTS (to skim)

OPTIONAL

  • Research Information Network, “Monitoring the Transition to Open Access.” Aug 2015. http://www.researchinfonet.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/09/Full-report-FINAL-AS-PUBLISHED.pdf. (Note: As stated in the executive summary of this report, “This study was commissioned in response to a recommendation of the Finch Group in its second report in 2013 that reliable indicators should be gathered on key features of the transition to open access (OA) in the UK.”)