Innovation in Aging: A Q&A with editor-in-chief Laura P. Sands | OUPblog

"How would you describe IA in three words?

Innovative – because the journal seeks to attract research that describes original principles, implements novel methods, assesses emerging technology, and describes innovative care pathways.

Interdisciplinary – because we will consider scientific articles representing expertise from multiple disciplines.

Immediate – because we strive to make a first decision within 30 days of submission and an article will be published online as soon as it is typeset. In addition, the Open Access model allows immediate online and free access to articles for every interested reader.

Do you think there are misconceptions regarding the journal? If so, what?

Innovation in Aging adopted the fully Open Access model of publishing. Two features distinguish the Open Access model from traditional subscription journals. First, readers have free, unrestricted online access to articles. Second, the journal does not have subscription fees; instead, the journal’s costs are covered by author publication charges. Research societies have widely adopted the Open Access model in the past decade. The most common Open Access journals in which GSA members publish include the BMC, PLoS ONE, and Frontiers journals. However, some scientists continue to have concerns about this model. One concern is that Open Access journals may be predatory. Qualities that distinguish reputable Open Access journals from predatory journals are as follows:

1. The journal is included in reputable databases.

2. The journal is owned by a scientifically reputable company or research society.

3. The editorial board includes scientific expertise required to thoroughly review manuscripts relevant to its mission.

4. The peer review process is clearly stated on the journal website.

5. The policies for human and animal subjects and conflict of interest are clearly articulated.

6. The journal has a Creative Commons Attribution License.

Another concern about Open access journals is that authors pay a publication fee. Innovation in Aging will waive the author publication fee for the first 200 accepted articles. Thereafter, 25% of author publication fees will be waived. A 2014 case study of an Open Access journal revealed that only 19% of authors requested waivers for author publication fees. A market survey commissioned by the GSA revealed that of respondents who published in Open Access journals, nearly half had their author publication fees covered by institutional funding."