Authorial and institutional stratification in open access publishing : the case of global health research
Article [Version publiée]
Résumé·s
Using a database of recent articles published in the field of Global Health research,
we examine institutional sources of stratification in publishing access outcomes.
Traditionally, the focus on inequality in scientific publishing has focused on prestige
hierarchies in established print journals. This project examines stratification in
contemporary publishing with a particular focus on subscription vs. various Open
Access (OA) publishing options. Findings show that authors working at lower-ranked
universities are more likely to publish in closed/paywalled outlets, and less likely to
choose outlets that involve some sort of Article Processing Charge (APCs; gold or
hybrid OA). We also analyze institutional differences and stratification in the APC
costs paid in various journals. Authors affiliated with higher-ranked institutions, as
well as hospitals and non-profit organizations pay relatively higher APCs for gold
and hybrid OA publications. Results suggest that authors affiliated with high-ranked
universities and well-funded institutions tend to have more resources to choose pay
options with publishing. Our research suggests new professional hierarchies developing
in contemporary publishing, where various OA publishing options are becoming
increasingly prominent. Just as there is stratification in institutional representation
between different types of publishing access, there is also inequality within access types.