The growth of open access publishing in geochemistry

Factors influencing the adoption and use of open access scholarly communication among researchers in India

Purpose

The present study aims to examine the use of open access (OA) scholarly communication in India and investigate the factors affecting the adoption and use of OA scholarly communication among researchers.

Design/methodology/approach

The study adopted a quantitative research approach using a survey method. Science Citation Index Expanded (SCI-EXPANDED) of Web of Science database was selected as a source for identifying potential researchers and researchers' contact details. A web-based questionnaire was designed using Google Forms, and a link to the questionnaire was sent by email to 4,237 researchers belonging to Science and Technology. Unified theory of acceptance and use of technology (UTAUT) is the primary basis for formulating the present study's conceptual model. Hierarchical multiple regression (HMR) was applied for identifying the factors that influence the adoption and use of OA scholarly communication.

Findings

The study found that researchers have limited knowledge of different OA concepts, initiatives and resources, resulting in a deficient level of participation in OA publishing. The HMR analysis authenticates that attitude, facilitating conditions, Internet usage self-efficacy, article processing charge (APC) and researchers' working experience significantly influence the adoption and use of OA scholarly communication. Based on the findings, the study proposed a validated model to investigate the adoption and use of OA scholarly communication in different institutions, research disciplines and developing countries with similar conditions.

Practical implications

The findings have several practical and policy implications for improving OA publishing in India, formulating OA policies and providing directions for further research.

Originality/value

This is the first study focusing on adopting and using OA scholarly communication in India. Findings may be helpful in planning and implementing OA initiatives. The influencing factors and the relative importance identified in the present study offered empirical evidence to demonstrate the researchers' attitudes and perceptions for adopting and using OA scholarly communication.

Peer review

The peer review history for this article is available at: https://publons.com/publon/10.1108/OIR-05-2021-0265.

Open Access in Geochemistry from Preprints to Data Sharing: Past, Present, and Future

In this short communication, we discuss the latest advances regarding Open Access in the earth sciences and geochemistry community from preprints to findable, accessible, interoperable, and reusable data following the 14f session held at Goldschmidt conference (4–9 July 2021) dedicated to “Open Access in Earth Sciences”.

Potentially toxic elements in groundwater: a hotspot research topic in environmental science and pollution research

A scientometric analysis based on the Scopus database was conducted to provide insight into research activities on the occurrence of potentially toxic elements (PTEs) (As, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Hg, Ni, Pb, Sb, and Zn) in groundwater during 1970-2019. The selection of these PTEs was based on their significance concerning their reference frequency in environmental science and pollution research (ESPR) studies and their toxicity to living organisms. The analysis utilizes data about the quantity, type, journal, geographical, institutional, and funding patterns of publications. The results indicate that the publications' annual output has increased over the years, and especially after 2000, it presents a remarkable growth rate. The most studied PTEs were As and Pb; nevertheless, the research on the rest of PTEs cannot be neglected as it shows continuously increasing trends over time. The evolution of instrumentation and the dissemination of contamination case studies that affect a large part of the world population contributed significantly to the scientific community and relative stakeholders' interest. According to the analysis, the USA and China are the two principal countries with the most considerable contribution, producing the most research regarding the number of publications, research institutions, and funding sponsors. China owns the most influential research institution (i.e., Chinese Academy of Sciences) and largest funding sponsor (i.e., National Natural Science Foundation of China; ≈5% of global funding) on a worldwide scale due to its investment in research and development (R&D) and is expected to become the greatest force in the future.

The Difficult Way to Publish a Research Paper

BACKGROUND: The authors aim to publish the results of their studies in peer-reviewed targeted international journals with a high impact-factor as possible, but they are also exposing to “predatory” publishers. AIM: The aim of the study was to offer some advices for authors to help to identify relevant medical journals, avoid “predatory” journals and publishers, use intermediary services, know a journal policy, and expectations of good journal editor(s). RECOMMENDATIONS: During the publication process authors should find suitable journals, assume a risk to encounter “predatory” or “hijacked” journals, know the advantages and disadvantages of using intermediary publishing services, understand expectations of editor(s), and make payment for article processing. CONCLUSIONS: The advices can help many researchers to publish their papers in relevant journals with cited indexes, and avoid many problems within the publication process.