Commentary: Open Access to Research and the Individual Responsibility of Researchers

Readers of "Language Learning & Technology" (LLT) are undoubtedly aware of the debate raging through the international research community about open (i.e., free) access to research and knowledge. As readers of the journal, they may not feel very concerned with this debate, because when LLT was established in 1997 (and "ALSIC" Journal in 1998) it seemed natural that articles should be freely accessible from every part of the network. This perspective is misleading. First, it is important to recognize that "LLT", "Alsic", and 2000 open access (OA) journals are the exception and not the rule among the 25,000 peer-reviewed journals. Secondly, readers are directly concerned individually as researchers at several levels. As readers, they face potential restrictions in access to publications and data in the field as well as to tools that could support their research and teaching. As authors, they seek being published not only in journals that have good reputations, but also that have a large audience so that their work can be cited. Citation is becoming an important feature of the research evaluation process of individuals as well as of institutions, and OA offers an impact advantage. As citizens, when their salary and research are paid for out of public funds, they are often responsible for giving free access to their work as requested by research agencies, provided they can actually use their Intellectual Property Rights (IPR) and not forfeit its use when signing publishers' copyrights agreements. In this article, the author describes, from a researcher's standpoint, two ways to open access: the so called "green" and "gold" roads to OA (open archives and OA journals) and the obstacles that stand in the way. (Contains 1 table and 2 notes.)