EU-funded study finds researchers favour open access publishing

"Researchers, authors and funding bodies are challenging the traditional journal publishing model, with open access becoming the preferred route to publishing and accessing research results, according to a paper published today in the journal ecancermedicalscience. The paper, “An Open Access future? Report from the eurocancercoms project” analyses the results of a survey carried out as part of the Framework Programme 7-funded Eurocancercoms project, looking at researchers’ attitudes towards open access publishing. Open access business models to challenge the traditional subscription models are also examined. The survey, by the European Association for Cancer Research (EACR), found that 59 per cent of researchers say their work is often hindered by a lack of free access to research findings. The internet is used by 94 per cent of cancer researchers for professional activities every day, with the majority accessing PubMed and online journals daily or 2-3 times a week. Nearly three quarters of survey respondents have published work in open access journals, indicating a growing acceptance of open access as a route to publication. And 88 per cent of respondents said publicly-funded research should be available to be read and used without access barriers...."