New Online Tool for Assessing Equity in Scholarly Publishing Launched
A beta version of a tool assessing the equity of scholarly communication models is now available.
A new online tool designed to evaluate the equity of scholarly communication models has been unveiled at the OASPA 2024 conference. The How Equitable Is It? tool, developed by a diverse Working Group, aims to provide a practical framework for assessing equity in publishing models. The group included librarians, library consortia representatives, funders, and publishers, convened by cOAlition S, Jisc, and PLOS.
The working group developed the tool to facilitate comparisons between different scholarly communication models based on seven key criteria:
- Access to Read
- Publishing Immediate Open Access
- Maximizing Participation
- Re-use Rights
- Pricing and Fee Transparency
- Open Research Practices concerning data, code, preprints
- Open peer review.
Robert Kiley, Head of Strategy at cOAlition S and co-Chair of the Working Group, explained the tool’s significance: “While there is broad consensus that a model in which neither the author nor the reader pays a fee is more equitable than a subscription or APC-based approach, determining which other components make one model more equitable than another is challenging.” He added that the tool would help stakeholders assess various models to move towards more equitable knowledge-sharing practices.
Key Objectives
The primary goal of the Working Group was to create a practical tool for stakeholders to assess equity in scholarly communication. Unlike existing frameworks that may prescribe specific outcomes, this tool allows users to make their own judgments based on the seven criteria. It avoids offering pre-populated databases of models or journals, thus fostering an unbiased evaluation process.
Roheena Anand, Executive Director of Global Publishing Development & Sales at PLOS and co-Chair of the Working Group, stated: “We’re delighted to be launching this beta version of the Equity Tool. One of the strengths of the working group is its representation of multiple stakeholder views: funders, librarians, and publishers. Many robust conversations between members led to this initial iteration, and we look forward to getting more feedback from the wider community.”
How the Tool Works
The How Equitable Is It? tool prompts users to assess scholarly communication models based on the seven criteria, rating each on a scale from “least equitable” to “most equitable.” Upon completion, users receive an overall equity score and a summary of their responses. This scoring system aims to make it easier for stakeholders to compare different models and funding arrangements.
Anna Vernon, Head of Research Licensing at Jisc and another co-Chair, expressed optimism about the tool’s potential: “At Jisc, we are keen to use this tool to inform our community’s investment decisions in scholarly publishing.”
Feedback and Future Developments
The current release of the How Equitable Is It? tool is a beta version. The Working Group invites feedback from stakeholders in the academic publishing ecosystem to refine the tool’s criteria. Feedback is being collected until 28th October 2024 through a feedback form on cOAlition S’s website. Based on this input, a revised version is expected to be published in early 2025.
This collaborative effort represents a good step towards a more equitable scholarly communication landscape, offering stakeholders a comprehensive method for evaluating their publishing models. By allowing users to apply their own judgment to the criteria, the tool aims to foster a more nuanced understanding of equity in scholarly publishing.
