The open access coverage of OpenAlex, Scopus and Web of Science (2404.01985v1)

Abstract: Diamond open access (OA) journals offer a publishing model that is free for both authors and readers, but their lack of indexing in major bibliographic databases presents challenges in assessing the uptake of these journals. Furthermore, OA characteristics such as publication language and country of publication have often been used to support the argument that OA journals are more diverse and aim to serve a local community, but there is a current lack of empirical evidence related to the geographical and linguistic characteristics of OA journals. Using OpenAlex and the Directory of Open Access Journals as a benchmark, this paper investigates the coverage of diamond and gold through authorship and journal coverage in the Web of Science and Scopus by field, country, and language. Results show their lower coverage in WoS and Scopus, and the local scope of diamond OA. The share of English-only journals is considerably higher among gold journals. High-income countries have the highest share of authorship in every domain and type of journal, except for diamond journals in the social sciences and humanities. Understanding the current landscape of diamond OA indexing can aid the scholarly communications network with advancing policy and practices towards more inclusive OA models.

• The paper demonstrates that OpenAlex indexes a far greater percentage of diamond OA journals compared to Scopus and WoS.
• It utilizes empirical analysis to reveal disciplinary biases, with biomedical and natural sciences disproportionately represented in traditional databases.
• It highlights geographic and linguistic diversity in OA publishing and calls for more inclusive indexing models to support global research.

An Analysis of Open Access Journal Coverage in OpenAlex, Scopus, and Web of Science

The paper "The open access coverage of OpenAlex, Scopus and Web of Science" presents a thorough analysis of how diamond and gold open access (OA) journals are indexed within three databases - OpenAlex, Scopus, and Web of Science (WoS). The paper focuses on understanding the coverage disparities among bibliographic databases with respect to these open access models, providing an empirical investigation into various factors influencing indexing, such as geographic distribution, linguistic diversity, and the economic strata of publishing countries. This analysis is critical for moving towards inclusive and equitable access to scholarly research across the globe.

Key Findings

The paper reveals several pertinent findings regarding the distribution and indexing of OA journals:

• Coverage Disparities: OpenAlex emerges as the most inclusive platform, particularly for diamond OA journals, which are underrepresented in Scopus and WoS. OpenAlex indexes over 60% of diamond journals that are not found in either WoS or Scopus.
• Disciplinary Differences: The indexing in WoS and Scopus is skewed towards Biomedical Research (BM) and Natural Sciences and Engineering (NSE). Conversely, there is a conspicuous lack of coverage of Social Sciences and Humanities (SSH) journals.
• Geographic and Economic Factors: High-income countries predominantly publish gold OA journals. However, diamond OA journals feature a more geographically diverse distribution, with a significant presence in Latin America and the Caribbean, indicating regional OA initiatives like SciELO.
• Linguistic Diversity: Diamond journals exhibit greater linguistic diversity, accepting non-English submissions more frequently than gold OA journals. English predominates in gold OA submissions, aligning with global research trends favoring English-language dissemination.

Implications for Open Access and Future Speculations

The research highlights critical implications for the development and sustainability of open access models, especially the diamond OA model, which offers free publishing for authors and readers. The paper underscores the need for inclusive indexing to ensure equal global visibility for research outputs.

Diamond journals, being more community-oriented and diverse, could bridge gaps between high-entry-barrier publications and knowledge dissemination in wider linguistic and regional contexts. However, these journals face substantial challenges regarding scalability and funding. Addressing these issues would require strengthening institutional support and potentially redirecting resources from APC-based models to support diamond OA outlets.

The future of open access will likely witness significant shifts towards sustainable diamond OA models, especially with initiatives like the European Union's DIAMAS project. Developing inclusive research evaluation frameworks that consider non-commercial OA innovations could accelerate this transition. This would require deliberate efforts from all stakeholders, advocating for broader acceptance of OA models less dependent on traditional metrics like the Journal Impact Factor.

Conclusion

The paper makes a compelling case for revising the current methods of assessing and utilizing bibliographic data sources in research evaluation—towards platforms that accommodate more diverse and regional scholarly outputs. This aligns with the emerging discourse on equitable access to scientific knowledge and underscores the relevance of regional scholarly ecosystems in a globalized research landscape. By broadening the scope of indexed journals, especially in fields underrepresented in standard databases, the research community can work towards a more comprehensive, inclusive dissemination model in scholarly communication.