Open Access Policy

1. Definition of Open Access

  • Open Access: Research outputs are made available online free of cost or other access barriers. This allows anyone to read, download, and share the research without a subscription or payment.

2. Types of Open Access

  • Gold Open Access: Articles are published in open access journals where the final published version is immediately available to the public. Authors often pay an Article Processing Charge (APC) to cover publication costs.
  • Green Open Access: Authors deposit a version of their manuscript in a public repository or institutional repository. The version may be the pre-peer-reviewed manuscript or the post-peer-reviewed version, depending on the journal's policies.
  • Hybrid Open Access: Traditional subscription-based journals offer authors the option to make their individual articles open access, usually for an APC.

3. Access and Availability

  • Free Accessibility: Articles are freely accessible to anyone with an internet connection.
  • Archiving: Articles are usually archived in digital repositories to ensure long-term accessibility and preservation.

4. Author Fees

  • Article Processing Charges (APCs): Many open access journals require authors to pay APCs to cover the costs of publication. The fee structure and payment process should be detailed in the journal’s submission guidelines.
  • Waivers and Discounts: Some journals offer waivers or discounts for authors from low-income countries or those with limited funding.

5. Licensing

  • Creative Commons Licenses: Most open access journals use Creative Commons licenses to define how others can use and share the work. Common licenses include:
    • CC BY (Attribution): Allows others to distribute, remix, adapt, and build upon the work, even commercially, as long as they credit the original creation.
    • CC BY-SA (Attribution-ShareAlike): Allows others to remix, adapt, and build upon the work, but they must license their new creations under identical terms.
    • CC BY-NC (Attribution-NonCommercial): Allows others to remix, adapt, and build upon the work non-commercially, and although new works must acknowledge the original work, they don’t have to license their derivative works on the same terms.

6. Metadata and Indexing

  • Metadata: Articles are often indexed with metadata to ensure they are discoverable through search engines and databases.
  • Indexing Services: The journal may be indexed in various databases and repositories to enhance visibility and impact.

7. Compliance and Policies

  • Funding Agencies: Authors receiving grants from funding agencies with open access mandates should comply with those policies by ensuring their work is openly accessible.
  • Institutional Policies: Authors should also consider their institution’s policies on open access.

8. Ethical Considerations

  • Transparency: Open access promotes transparency and reproducibility in research by making data and methodologies accessible.
  • Integrity: The journal should ensure that open access does not compromise the peer review process or the integrity of published research.

9. Publication Ethics

  • No Hidden Fees: Authors should be informed of any potential costs upfront, avoiding hidden fees.
  • Quality Assurance: The journal should maintain high editorial standards and ensure that open access does not affect the quality of peer review and publication processes.

Final Notes

For the most accurate and specific details regarding the open access policy of the International Journal of Empowerment and Society, it’s best to visit the journal’s official website or contact their editorial office directly. They will provide the latest information on their open access practices, APCs, licensing options, and any special considerations for authors.