Comments
Ahed Jumah Mahoud Alkhatib
21 April, 2025This is a large concern facing the authors. open access jounals versus close ournals means another dimension related to citations. we want to publish and to be cited at the same time. to overcome APC, we may create esearrch groups. I think that the independent researchers, like me, needs a budget to cope with APC.
IYEVHOBU KENNETH
21 April, 2025
Researcher should do well to Ask About Waivers before sending out their manuscripts.
APCs have actually influenced how, where and when to publish because sometimes you maynot be financially buoyant at that time to pay for a particular APC making the research to loose value or get old in your hands.
VINAY KUMAR SINGH
21 April, 2025I strongly agree with the concluding statement of Rene Tetzner- Article Processing Charges (APCs) play a crucial role in sustaining open-access publishing, but they also pose financial challenges for researchers. While APCs enable broader dissemination of knowledge, they require careful management to ensure equitable access to publishing opportunities. By exploring funding options, choosing journals wisely, and staying informed about evolving policies, researchers can navigate the APC landscape effectively. As open access continues to expand, balancing sustainability, affordability, and accessibility will remain a key priority for the academic community.
Ahed Jumah Mahoud Alkhatib
22 April, 2025This is a large concern facing the authors. open access jounals versus close ournals means another dimension related to citations. we want to publish and to be cited at the same time. to overcome APC, we may create esearrch groups. I think that the independent researchers, like me, needs a budget to cope with APC.
Khushboo Dubey
22 April, 2025I think APCs a crucial role is sustaining open access publishing,but the also fanacial challenge for researcher. I think that the independent researchers, like me, needs a budget to cope with APC.
Dr Gulappa Devagappanavar
22 April, 2025
Publishing is no more a knowledge dissemination, now it's become business.
APC's are becoming main obstacles for researchers, especially researchers from low& middle income countries. Hence journals shouldn't collect APC'S from Authors.
Khalifa Ahsina
22 April, 2025
Open access has opened new horizons for the dissemination of scientific knowledge. It fosters global collaboration and increases the visibility of research outputs. Yet, the financial model underpinning it—particularly Article Processing Charges (APCs)—has created new inequalities, especially for researchers in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). These fees, often ranging from $2,000 to $12,000, can exceed monthly salaries and restrict access to prestigious journals, reinforcing systemic publication disparities.
I have personally faced this challenge. In a collaborative project, one of our articles was accepted by a Q2-ranked journal, which requested a payment of $1,270. My co-author refused to contribute to the cost, and I was forced to forgo the publication and seek out a Q3-ranked journal with no fees. This episode clearly illustrates how APCs can influence not only publication strategies but also a researcher’s academic visibility and even the outcome of scientifically validated projects.
Fairer funding models and reforming evaluation criteria are urgently needed.
Afroz Alam
23 April, 2025
Ironically, the growing APCs are erecting a paywall at the production end, despite the original goal of open access being to democratize scientific knowledge. Academic inequality is being sustained by the growing exclusion of researchers from low-income nations or underfunded institutions from high-impact journal publication. Because they might not have the same grant backing as more seasoned scholars, early-career academics are particularly burdened by APCs. This financial obstacle may deter important contributions from up-and-coming academic voices.
Many publishers increasingly see APCs as a source of income, raising worries that the open access movement is being appropriated for financial gain. Certain "predatory" journals take advantage of this strategy by charging APCs without conducting thorough peer review.
Waivers do exist, but they are frequently stigmatized and used inconsistently. Because of this, there is an imbalance in publishing worldwide, with APCs disproportionately affecting researchers.
Afrim Tabaku
29 April, 2025
Open access has opened new horizons for the dissemination of scientific knowledge. It fosters global collaboration and increases the visibility of research outputs. Publishing is no more a knowledge dissemination, now it's become business. APC's are becoming main obstacles for researchers, especially researchers from low& middle income countries, like Albania my country.
Venkata Subrahmanyam Vampugani
21 April, 2025This blog offers a compelling critique of the unintended consequences of the open access publishing model, especially the financial burden posed by APCs. It effectively balances clear, conversational language with substantive points about global equity in scholarly communication. The inclusion of emerging alternatives like Diamond Open Access and practical tips makes it not just informative but also actionable for researchers navigating these challenges.