What is Research Directions?

Research Directions is a new series of question led, open access journals that have broken free of the limitations of the traditional publication model to better reflect the research process. Unlike traditional journals, which are structured around a descriptive scope, authors publishing in Research Directions are invited to publish research that takes incremental steps to answering a set of distinct research questions, shaped by an expert subject community and intended to be definitive to a specific field.

Find out more at: cambridge.org/researchdirections

What can authors submit to Research Directions?

Research Directions accepts the following research outputs: Results, Analysis and Impact papers, each of which is indexed, receives a DOI and is considered a published and citable research item. Authors are also encouraged to upload early research outputs and other non-peer reviewed literature content on the Research Directions community space on Cambridge Open Engage as they move through their research project.

Where are the outputs hosted?

Published research outputs (Results, Analysis and Impact papers) sit on the journal homepage on Cambridge Core. The published outputs are linked (via DOIs) to outputs (such as pre-prints, data sets, software descriptions, research posters, community briefs) uploaded by researchers to the Research Directions community space on  Cambridge Open Engage, giving visibility to the entire research journey as it progresses.

Why is it called Research Directions?

The name reflects the emphasis on the question-led aspect of this journal model. This provides a direction for research, something normally absorbed by individual funders or discussed at meetings rather than being delivered via a citable output.

What is the scope/purpose/vision/USP?

Our vision is for Cambridge University Press and Assessment to work with research communities that are willing to innovate and experiment in the way that they publish their work and in how they collaborate with other researchers to answer specific questions or challenges that will drive their field forward.

Are articles in the series published open access?

The titles are published Gold OA with a CC-BY license. Articles are subject to transparent peer review, have open data mandates and follow open standard practices. At Cambridge, we see open research as a fundamental step in our mission to advance learning, research and knowledge worldwide.

Who do I contact if I have an idea for a journal for the Research Directions series?

Please contact the programme manager Monica Moniz at [email protected]

Authors

How do I find out what questions are currently open?

The open questions can be found in each individual title journal and community pages.

How do I submit a Results, Analysis or Impact paper? 

Individual titles have their own submission sites. The submission system used is ScholarOne.

How can I submit a preprint or “grey literature” output?

Individual titles have their own submission sites on their Research Directions community site on Cambridge Open Engage. You can also navigate through the submit button on the journal page. For more information on how to prepare this material please see the journal information pages

How can I contribute to the discussion?

Individual titles have their own community sites on Cambridge Open Engage which you can contribute to after registration.

What format/structure should I use for my various outputs? 

All journals in the series follow the same article type formats (Results, Analysis and Impact papers), however individual instructions for authors can be found under each journal’s pages. The same applies for non-peer reviewed content.

Do I have to pay a fee to publish?

No fees will ever be charged for Question papers or for commissioned Impact papers. In addition, newly-launched Research Directions journals (after 2024) will have an initial 3 month waiver period, during which no fees will be charged for any papers submitted.

In other cases, articles are supported by an article processing charge (APC) that is typically paid by the author’s funding body or academic institution, although other funding routes are available.

How much is the APC?

Current APC rates can be found on each journal’s home page, in the journal’s information area. Please check the fees and pricing page under author instructions.

What kinds of funding support are available?

Multiple routes to funding Gold OA are available to Research Directions authors, including institutional agreements and waivers and discounts for article processing charges (APCs). If you do not have funding available to pay for an APC, you can request a discretionary waiver from the journal.

For full details of funding options available for a given journal, including whether it is currently in a waiver period, please check the journal’s open access options. This page can be found under the journal policies section of the journal’s information area.

Can I submit a question?

The first questions will be set up by the board but we welcome suggestions for new questions or how we can improve existing ones.  Please email the programme Manager with your suggestions at [email protected] or using the journal’s contact email address, which can be found on the journal’s information pages. 

Who decides when a question closes?

The executive editorial board and advisory council convenes at least once a year (more if deemed necessary) to discuss if a question should be closed, modified or remain open. If the editorial board decides to close a question, an Impact paper summarising the Results, Analyses and other Impact papers published in the Research Directions journal, as well as any other relevant literature, will be commissioned and published. Additionally, an announcement in the journal will be made stating that the question will close in six months and new submissions will only be accepted for the next four months.