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Open Access

A guide for students, faculty, & researchers at Saint Mary's University

Open access at Saint Mary's University logo.

What is Open Access?

  • Open Access (OA) is a publishing model that aims to increase access to the results of scholarly research.
  • Open Access provides free and unrestricted online availability to research articles and data.
  • Open Access materials are made available through OA journals and subject specific and institutional repositories.
  • Quality Open Access journals have the same peer review process as traditional journals.

Benefits of Open Access

  • Author visibility and impact are increased.
  • Researchers can read and build on the findings of others without restrictions.
  • Teachers and students have access to the latest research findings.
  • The latest research findings are available to researchers in developing countries.

Open Access Explained!

What is open access? Nick Shockey and Jonathan Eisen take us through the world of open access publishing and explain just what it's all about.

Links to more information about Open Access