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Open access publishing

Open access myths

Open access is an important way to make high-quality, peer reviewed content freely available for anyone to access and view.

Here are five common misconceptions about open access and the reasons why it should be your first choice for publication.

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Myth one: Open access means low quality

All open access article and book submissions to Cambridge go through the same peer review and publication process as non-OA submissions.

Myth one: Open access means low quality

Shield shape filled with light pink line pattern, with a dark pink number one on top.

All open access article and book submissions to Cambridge go through the same peer review and publication process as non-OA submissions.

Myth two: Open access is too expensive for me

We have open access publishing agreements with +2500 institutions globally, meaning you may be able to publish your work open access at no cost to you. We also have other routes to fund your open access publication, find out more here.

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Myth two: Open access is too expensive for me

Shield shape filled with light pink line pattern, with a dark pink number two on top.

We have open access publishing agreements with +2500 institutions globally, meaning you may be able to publish your work open access at no cost to you. We also have other routes to fund your open access publication, find out more here.

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Myth three: There’s no benefit to me

Open access content is freely available online, not hidden behind a paywall, meaning increased discoverability and usage, and higher citations and downloads for your work.

Myth three: There’s no benefit to me

Shield shape filled with light pink line pattern, with a dark pink number three on top.

Open access content is freely available online, not hidden behind a paywall, meaning increased discoverability and usage, and higher citations and downloads for your work.

Myth four: I’m giving up all my copyrights

Open access articles in our fully Gold OA and hybrid journals are published under Creative Commons (CC) licences, meaning you retain the original copyright to your work while enabling readers to freely access and re-distribute your article. Our open access books are also published under a CC licence.

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Myth four: I’m giving up all my copyrights

Shield shape filled with light pink line pattern, with a dark pink number four on top.

Open access articles in our fully Gold OA and hybrid journals are published under Creative Commons (CC) licences, meaning you retain the original copyright to your work while enabling readers to freely access and re-distribute your article. Our open access books are also published under a CC licence.

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Myth five: Paying an APC means instant acceptance

There are many less reputable publications (so called ‘predatory journals’) who will request payment up front for publication, but any payment required for our open access journal articles is taken after peer review and acceptance.

Myth five: Paying an APC means instant acceptance

Shield shape filled with light pink line pattern, with a dark pink number five on top.

There are many less reputable publications (so called ‘predatory journals’) who will request payment up front for publication, but any payment required for our open access journal articles is taken after peer review and acceptance.