Open access

Research that is free to read online, with few barriers beyond an internet connection.

The Budapest Open Access Initiative, in 2002, gave the definition that most later ones follow. Open access means free availability of scholarly literature on the public internet. Anyone may read, download, copy, share, print, search and link to the full text, and use it for any lawful purpose, without barriers other than access to the internet itself.

What it does not mean. Open access is not the same as a lack of review. Many open access journals are peer reviewed. A free copy of a paper is also not always the final version: authors may post an earlier draft or a preprint that differs from the published article.

Why it matters when you cite.

• An open access article usually has a DOI that leads to a page you can read without a subscription, so your readers can follow it.
• If you read a free copy, cite the published version when you can find it, and check that the details match.
• A paper behind a paywall can often be reached through your library.

Some writers separate “gratis” access (free to read) from “libre” access (free to reuse under an open licence).