Academic journal pricingThe goal of this page is to provide information for those of you who are curious about increasing public access to scientific journals. Elsevier is only one example of the recent increase in scientific journal access costs. Fortunately there are a growing number of alternative journals.
Anyone in a modern scientific field understands the value of open and
accessible publication media. Many of you are likely feeling the effects of
Elsevier's latest choices.
The price-to-citation ratio of Elsevier science journals has
drastically increased to the point where large research institutions
(including Duke and Cornell) have dropped their already restrictive
subscription arrangements with Elsevier.
A growing movement within many universities is encouraging authors to seek
alternative journals for their publications. Scientists are also encouraged to
decline supportive roles with Elsevier (refereeing papers etc.).
Elsevier journals of interest:Cell press: Cell, Molecular Cell, Developmental Cell, Cancer Cell, Immunity, Neuron. Physica (A-E), Physics Letters ( ,A,B), Progress in Quantum Electronics, Optics Communications and others.The largest portion of the price disagreement is due to higher fees for online access. Clearly online access provides a very fast and cost effective way to pass scientific information around within the community. Prohibitively high costs do nothing to the quality of work and if anything limit access to a few small groups willing to continue to suffer the abuse. Many new "open" journals are forming with strictly online content, these journals offer the same peer review process and quality work without excessive fees associated with funding a publishing company that is already monopolizing many fields. The peer-review model is critical to the successful advancement of science, however Elsevier has sent a clear message that it intends to profit wildly from the established needs of university libraries to provide scientific content for their patrons. The only message we can send back is that we have better options: other journals that have a clear history of understanding the unique mutual needs of scientists and publishers—and the delicate role they play together in advancing civilization one discovery at a time. |