The Trends of Open Access Academic Books and Discipline Dynamics: A Cross-database Comparison Based on OpenAlex and Web of Science

Abstract:  This study conducts a quantitative analysis of the inclusion of open access (OA) academic books in the OpenAlex and Web of Science (WoS) databases from 2004 to 2023. It explores the differences and trends between the two databases in terms of the number of OA books, annual variations, and disciplinary distribution. The study finds that OpenAlex shows a significant advantage over WoS in the scale of OA book inclusion and growth rate, with a particularly strong growth potential in recent years. Through an analysis of various academic disciplines, this study reveals the differences in disciplinary preferences and resource distribution between the two databases, further discussing the advantages and challenges of OpenAlex in promoting the inclusion of OA books. The results indicate that OpenAlex demonstrates significant potential in advancing the inclusion of OA books and global knowledge sharing. OpenAlex has gradually become an important academic resource platform, providing more convenient access to the academic community. Additionally, the study innovatively uses large language models to resolve inconsistencies in cross-database disciplinary classification, enhancing the efficiency and accuracy of data matching. In conclusion, OpenAlex’s rapid growth and its advantages across multiple disciplines provide crucial support for the global inclusion and sharing of OA books, while also offering important empirical data for the optimization of academic publishing policies and resource distribution.