Open access myths
Here are five common misconceptions about open access and the reasons why it should be your first choice for publication.
Myth one: Open access means low quality
All open access article and book submissions to Cambridge go through the same peer review and publication process as non-OA submissions.
Myth one: Open access means low quality
All open access article and book submissions to Cambridge go through the same peer review and publication process as non-OA submissions.
Myth two: Open access is too expensive for me
We have open access publishing agreements with +2500 institutions globally, meaning you may be able to publish your work open access at no cost to you. We also have other routes to fund your open access publication, find out more here.
Myth two: Open access is too expensive for me
We have open access publishing agreements with +2500 institutions globally, meaning you may be able to publish your work open access at no cost to you. We also have other routes to fund your open access publication, find out more here.
Myth three: There’s no benefit to me
Open access content is freely available online, not hidden behind a paywall, meaning increased discoverability and usage, and higher citations and downloads for your work.
Myth three: There’s no benefit to me
Open access content is freely available online, not hidden behind a paywall, meaning increased discoverability and usage, and higher citations and downloads for your work.
Myth four: I’m giving up all my copyrights
Open access articles in our fully Gold OA and hybrid journals are published under Creative Commons (CC) licences, meaning you retain the original copyright to your work while enabling readers to freely access and re-distribute your article. Our open access books are also published under a CC licence.
Myth four: I’m giving up all my copyrights
Open access articles in our fully Gold OA and hybrid journals are published under Creative Commons (CC) licences, meaning you retain the original copyright to your work while enabling readers to freely access and re-distribute your article. Our open access books are also published under a CC licence.
Myth five: Paying an APC means instant acceptance
There are many less reputable publications (so called ‘predatory journals’) who will request payment up front for publication, but any payment required for our open access journal articles is taken after peer review and acceptance.
Myth five: Paying an APC means instant acceptance
There are many less reputable publications (so called ‘predatory journals’) who will request payment up front for publication, but any payment required for our open access journal articles is taken after peer review and acceptance.
Funding open access publication
We believe that journals must publish articles based on their contribution to the literature rather than an author's funding situation.
Learn moreFunding open access publication
We believe that journals must publish articles based on their contribution to the literature rather than an author's funding situation.
Learn more
Cambridge Open Equity Initiative
The Cambridge Open Equity Initiative supports authors in low- and middle-income countries who wish to publish their research open access in our journals but do not have access to funding.
Learn moreCambridge Open Equity Initiative
The Cambridge Open Equity Initiative supports authors in low- and middle-income countries who wish to publish their research open access in our journals but do not have access to funding.
Learn more
Eligibility checker
Journal authors can use this tool to check their eligibility for support for Gold Open Access publishing.
Learn moreEligibility checker
Journal authors can use this tool to check their eligibility for support for Gold Open Access publishing.
Learn moreFunding open access publication
We believe that journals must publish articles based on their contribution to the literature rather than an author's funding situation.
Learn moreFunding open access publication
We believe that journals must publish articles based on their contribution to the literature rather than an author's funding situation.
Learn moreCambridge Open Equity Initiative
The Cambridge Open Equity Initiative supports authors in low- and middle-income countries who wish to publish their research open access in our journals but do not have access to funding.
Learn moreCambridge Open Equity Initiative
The Cambridge Open Equity Initiative supports authors in low- and middle-income countries who wish to publish their research open access in our journals but do not have access to funding.
Learn moreEligibility checker
Journal authors can use this tool to check their eligibility for support for Gold Open Access publishing.
Learn moreEligibility checker
Journal authors can use this tool to check their eligibility for support for Gold Open Access publishing.
Learn more