In this blog, I have discussed extensively my position that OA is superior to the closed access model in numerous ways. Most of my assertions have been derived from logical deduction, personal experience, and general trends. However, I have yet to present perhaps the strongest evidence supporting the OA model — numbers.
In a 2006 paper in PLoS Biology entitled Citation Advantage of Open Access Articles, Gunther Eysenbach investigated how publishing approach (either OA or closed access) affected the number of citations a paper received. This number of citations is a definite reflection of the dissemination of the paper through the scientific community.
Eysenbach found a definite quantitative citation advantage for OA papers over closed access papers. He wrote,
We found strong evidence that, even in a journal that is widely available in research libraries, OA articles are more immediately recognized and cited by peers than non-OA articles published in the same journal. OA is likely to benefit science by accelerating dissemination and uptake of research findings.
With similar evidence mounting, I feel that the scientific advantage of publishing OA will build, encouraging ever greater numbers of researchers to join the OA movement.
Nathan
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