Open Access to Research Outputs Policy

QA237 Open Access to Research Outputs

Description

The University of Galway is committed to sharing its research findings as widely as possible to enhance its use and impact within the academic and research community and, more widely, within society. The University wants to ensure timely and accurate open access to publicly funded research and meet funder mandates' requirements. It also recognises the research publications of its staff as a significant institutional asset whose long-term preservation needs to be ensured. Open access is an internationally recognised approach to disseminating research outputs that complements and extends the established practices and rigorous selection of publications in peer-reviewed journals and elsewhere. It makes research outputs accessible free of charge online and without subscription barriers, sometimes after an agreed period has elapsed since initial publication. Advantages of open access for authors include higher citation levels, easy discovery through global search engines and harvesting services, and long-term preservation of outputs. Broader exposure to our research enhances the University’s reputation and broadens its international recognition. Research funders achieve maximum public impact. By publishing an open access policy, the University of Galway has joined over 500 universities worldwide and supports the National Principles for Open Access Policy Statement Ireland. This document aligns with European University Association guidelines for institutional policies. It sets out the application of the University’s policy, the procedures for achieving open access publication and institutional preservation of publications, the responsibilities of the parties involved, and sources of assistance.

Application

This policy applies to all members of staff employed by the University of Galway. Authors of peer-reviewed articles and peer-reviewed conference papers resulting from research carried out at the University of Galway must deposit a copy in the University of Galway Research Repository. The final manuscript version should be deposited upon acceptance for publication. The deposit of copies of other publications, such as books, book chapters or reports, and datasets associated with published research, is strongly encouraged. A separate policy covers doctoral theses.

• National Principles for Open Access Policy Statement
• EUA’s Open Access checklist for universities: A practical guide on implementation

The objective is open access publication as soon as possible, but embargoes will be applied as required, for example, to protect confidentiality, support commercialisation opportunities, or meet legal obligations.

Procedures

At the time of acceptance for publication, please email the full-text file for the final manuscript version of your publication to researchrepository@universityofgalway.ie

Upon receipt of your file, the Library will:

• Convert it to PDF to facilitate display and preservation
• Verify that the final manuscript version has been deposited
• Establish the open access publication rights specified by the publisher of the item
• Apply appropriate embargoes, copyright, and licence statements
• Make metadata publicly available immediately
• Publish the final manuscript version on open access at the earliest date possible, taking account of any restrictions placed by the publisher or authors
• Explicitly promote citation of the official, published version
• Facilitate harvesting by other repositories

D‌ownload PDF copy of the policy: QA237 Open Access to Research Outputs Policy‌‌‌‌