[论文解读] Mapping the German Diamond Open Access Journal Landscape

Niels Taubert, Linda Sterzik+1 more|arXiv (Cornell University)|Jun 22, 2023

Research Data Management Practices被引用 4

一句话总结

本研究通过文献计量分析与专家访谈，绘制了德国钻石开放获取（OA）期刊的全景图，发现尽管社会科学与人文学科领域中规模较小至中等的期刊在钻石OA模式下蓬勃发展，但其可持续性正面临资金短缺与过度依赖志愿劳动的威胁。近年来已有23本期刊停止运营，凸显该模式在可扩展性与长期可行性方面存在结构性脆弱性。

ABSTRACT

In the current scientific and political discourse surrounding the transformation of the scientific publication system, significant attention is focused on Diamond Open Access (OA). This article explores the potential and challenges of Diamond OA journals, using Germany as a case study. Two questions are addressed: first, the current role of such journals in the scientific publication system is determined through bibliometric analysis across various disciplines. Second, an investigation is conducted to assess the sustainability of Diamond OA journals and identify associated structural problems or potential breaking points. This investigation includes an in-depth expert interview study involving 20 editors of Diamond OA journals. The empirical results are presented using a landscape map that considers two dimensions: 'monetized and gift-based completion of tasks' and 'journal team size.' The bibliometric analysis reveals a substantial number of Diamond OA journals in the social sciences and humanities, but limited adoption in other fields. The model proves effective for small to mid-sized journals, but not for larger ones. Additionally, it was found that 23 Diamond OA journals have recently discontinued their operations. The expert interviews demonstrate the usefulness of the two dimensions in understanding key differences. Journals in two of the four quadrants of the map exemplify sustainable conditions, while the other two quadrants raise concerns about long-term stability. These concerns include limited funding leading to a lack of division of labor and an excessive burden on highly committed members. These findings underscore the need for the development of more sustainable funding models to ensure the success of Diamond OA journals.

研究动机与目标

• 评估钻石OA期刊在德国科学出版体系中跨学科的当前角色。
• 研究钻石OA期刊的可持续性，并识别结构性风险或关键断裂点。
• 基于任务完成模式与团队规模，构建二维全景图以分类期刊稳定性。
• 通过20位期刊主编的深度专家访谈，理解编辑在运营中面临的挑战。

提出的方法

• 在多个科学学科中开展文献计量分析，量化德国境内钻石OA期刊的存在与影响力。
• 利用两个维度——‘货币化与赠与制任务完成’与‘期刊团队规模’——构建四象限全景图。
• 对20位钻石OA期刊主编进行半结构化专家访谈，收集关于运营挑战与可持续性的定性见解。
• 根据两个维度对期刊进行象限分类，以识别稳定与风险的模式。
• 结合定量与定性数据，评估钻石OA模式的可扩展性与长期可行性。
• 对访谈数据应用主题分析，识别反复出现的关切，如工作量集中与资金不稳定。

实验结果

研究问题

• RQ1 钻石OA期刊在德国的当前分布与学科覆盖范围如何？
• RQ2 不同任务完成模式（货币化 vs. 赠与制）与团队规模如何影响钻石OA期刊的可持续性？
• RQ3 哪些结构性因素导致钻石OA期刊的停办？
• RQ4 由于资金缺乏与分工不均，编辑团队在多大程度上承受了不可持续的工作负荷？
• RQ5 二维框架在有效分类与预测钻石OA期刊长期可行性方面表现如何？

主要发现

• 大量钻石OA期刊存在于社会科学与人文学科领域，但在其他科学学科中的采纳仍有限。
• 钻石OA模式对中小型期刊有效，但无法扩展至更大规模的出版运作。
• 近年来德国已有23本钻石OA期刊停办，表明存在系统性可持续性挑战。
• 全景图中两个象限的期刊表现出可持续状态，而其余两个象限则因资金缺口与编辑过度负担面临高失败风险。
• 专家访谈显示，资金缺乏导致分工不均，少数核心人员承担了不成比例的工作负荷。
• 二维框架能有效区分稳定与不稳定的期刊模式，为政策与资金决策提供实用工具。