What Is an Open Access Publication and How Does the Publishing Process Work?

Updated

An open access (OA) publication is a scholarly work—typically a journal article—that is made freely available online, so readers can access, download, and often reuse it without paying a subscription or per-article fee. This model applies to journals, conference proceedings, and other research outputs. It is most relevant if you are an author deciding where to publish, or a reader trying to understand why some research is free to read and some is not. The exact terms of reuse depend on the license the publisher applies, so "open access" describes free availability, not necessarily unrestricted reuse.

The main open access routes

Publishers and funders use a few standard terms to describe how OA is delivered. The same article can sometimes be available through more than one route.

Route Where the article is available Who typically pays Common characteristics
Gold OA On the publisher's own journal site, immediately free to read Author, institution, or funder via an article processing charge (APC) Final published version; license usually stated on the article page
Green OA In a repository (institutional or subject-based), often after an embargo No APC to the publisher in most cases May be a preprint or accepted manuscript rather than the final typeset version
Hybrid OA In a subscription journal, but the individual article is made free Author or funder pays an APC for that article The rest of the journal may still sit behind a paywall
Diamond/platinum OA On the journal site, free to read and free to publish Usually supported by an institution, society, or grant No APC to the author; less common than gold

The distinction matters because "open access" on a journal homepage does not tell you which version you are reading, whether an embargo applied, or what reuse rights you have. Check the specific article page for the license.

How the publishing process typically works

The workflow below reflects how peer-reviewed OA journals generally operate. Exact steps and timelines vary by publisher.

  1. Choose a journal and check scope. Confirm the journal covers your subject area and accepts your article type (research, review, case report, etc.).
  2. Read the author guidelines. These specify formatting, word limits, reference style, and required statements such as ethics approval or conflict of interest.
  3. Submit the manuscript. You upload the manuscript and any supplementary files through the journal's submission system. You may be asked to suggest or exclude reviewers.
  4. Editorial screening. An editor checks that the submission fits the journal and meets basic requirements before sending it for review.
  5. Peer review. Independent experts assess the work. Outcomes are usually major revision, minor revision, accept, or reject. Revision rounds can repeat.
  6. Acceptance and production. Once accepted, the manuscript is copyedited and typeset. You review proofs and correct errors.
  7. Payment of any APC. If the journal charges an APC, it is normally invoiced at acceptance, not at submission. Confirm the fee and any waiver policy before you submit.
  8. Publication and licensing. The final article is published with a license (for example, a Creative Commons license) that defines how others may reuse it. The article receives a DOI and becomes citable.

Expected result: a freely readable, citable article with a stated license. Common snag: an APC you did not budget for, or a license that is more restrictive than your funder requires.

What to check before submitting or citing

Because OA publishing shifts costs and rights in ways that subscription publishing does not, verify these points rather than assuming them:

  • Fees. The source material for this page does not list APCs, waiver policies, or payment platforms, so treat any specific fee as something you must confirm directly with the journal. Do not assume a journal is free to publish just because it is free to read.
  • Indexing and abstracting. Check whether the journal is listed in databases relevant to your field. Indexing affects discoverability and, in some cases, how evaluators view the publication.
  • Peer review process. Confirm the journal states its review model (single-blind, double-blind, open) and that it is described clearly.
  • License terms. Identify which license applies and whether it permits the reuse your funder or institution requires.
  • Copyright. OA does not automatically mean you retain copyright; some publishers require a copyright transfer or an exclusive license. Read the agreement.
  • Editorial board and contact details. A verifiable board, a physical address, and responsive contact information are basic signals of a legitimate operation. The publisher behind this page, for example, states it operates 700+ peer-reviewed journals with 50,000+ editorial board members and lists a contact address at [email protected].

A practical example

Suppose you are a life-sciences researcher with a funder that requires immediate free access and a CC BY license. You find a gold OA journal that fits your topic. Before submitting, you check the author guidelines for the APC, confirm the journal offers CC BY, and verify it is indexed in the databases your field uses. You submit, go through two rounds of peer review, pay the APC at acceptance, and review proofs. The article is published free to read under CC BY, which satisfies your funder. If instead the journal only offered a more restrictive license, you would need to look elsewhere or negotiate—checking the license first saved you a wasted submission.

Quick decision guide

  • If you need immediate free access and broad reuse: look for gold or diamond OA with a suitable license.
  • If you have no budget for an APC: prioritize diamond/platinum journals or check green OA repository options.
  • If you are reading rather than publishing: check the article page for the version and license, since "open access" on a homepage does not guarantee the final version is free.
  • If your funder has a mandate: match the journal's license and timing to the mandate before submitting, not after acceptance.