7 Decision Tree for Researchers

In general, researchers should ask themselves the following when they begin working on a research project:

• What is my funder’s policy on open access? Take the funder’s policy into account when creating a grant proposal. Some require pre-registration of research projects prior to publication. Others require deposit of articles and datasets in authorized repositories. Check the SHERPA/JULIET database for links to funders’ open-access policies. If there are costs associated with making materials openly accessible, consider including these in the grant proposal.
• What is my journal’s policy relative to open access? Some subscription-based journals allow payment of an Article Processing Charge (APC) to make an article open access. Others allow researchers to deposit a version of their article into a repository to comply with public-access requirements. In some cases, your funder will require you to use a particular license on your article or to publish with no embargo on access. Be aware of your journal’s position on these points prior to publication. Check SHERPA/FACT to see if particular journals comply with funder requirements for open access to research
• How can I cover potential costs of publishing open access? Every journal does not charge an APC, but some do. Consider including the cost of an APC in your grant application for your research project. Alternatively, look for discount options available through WSU Libraries, or explore the possibility of depositing a copy of your paper/datasets in a repository.
• Will my publisher allow me to negotiate for open access options? If your funder and journal are not in alignment when it comes to research access, you might attempt to negotiate your publishing contract. See the SPARC Author Addendum for more information and relevant legal language.
• If I cannot afford to pay APCs and I cannot negotiate for open access, what options do I have? Most journal publishers allow authors to deposit a version of their articles in a repository following publication. Sometimes publishers allow the published version of the article to be deposited. More often, they allow the Accepted Manuscript or post-print version to be deposited. This is the version of the article after peer review but before final copy-editing and layout. Know this policy before publishing. Consider in particular whether the publisher stipulates embargoes or licensing restrictions that are not in line with funder requirements. Check the Sherpa Romeo database to learn more about your publisher’s policy.
• How will I manage the data produced in the course of my research project? Many funders are moving toward requiring that datasets also be made openly accessible. Learn more from the following resources:
  • Data Management and Sharing Guidance (WSU Office of Research)
  • Data Management Plans (WSU Libraries)

The following decision tree shows how a research project may evolve as a researcher works with a particular funder to make their paper openly accessible.

Graphic drawn from the Open Access Toolkit, University of Western Australia, https://guides.library.uwa.edu.au/openaccesstoolkit/fundingmandates