開放近用資訊筆記 - 12.04

Open Access in the Natural Sciences
By Wolfgang Voges, Max Planck Institute for Extraterrestrial Physics

Owing to the large number of disciplines and the extremely varied ways of handling scientific knowledge, the willingness of scientists to grant Open Access to research results is not uniform. The arguments for and against the Open Access movement are complex and sometimes controversial. Therefore a description and evaluation granting every aspect of the argument the attention it deserves cannot be given in this brief contribution. For example, there are several fields where commercial considerations regarding inventions and patent rights play such a large role that we cannot expect cost-free access to research results and data, either now or in the future.
由於大量的學科和極為不同的科學知識處理方法，科學家同意開放近用研究結果的意願並不一致。在贊成和反對的開放近用運動是複雜的，有時也會引起爭議。因此，在這簡短的文獻裡，不能描述和評價每一個方面的論點裡的重點。例如，有幾個領域和商業考量有關的，如發明和專利權利就扮演很重要的角色，無論是現在或將來，我們不能指望免費獲得近用研究成果和數據。

I will limit myself to a rough description of the situation in the fields of astronomy and astrophysics in which a differentiated but predominantly positive attitude towards Open Access prevails. Research results in publications are generally handled quite liberally. Scientists wish to have their findings disseminated quickly and widely in order to allow global discussion and thus growth in knowledge. Electronic distribution and availability lend themselves to this objective. In many areas of physics it has been possible for years to make new publications awaiting peer review available for free on an electronic pre-print server (http://lanl.arXiv.org). So far, more than 415 000 e-prints have been deposited there, and the much discussed problem of quality control also seems to have been solved satisfactorily on this server.

Particularly in the field of astronomy, every 10-15 years a new generation of instruments provides more detailed data, permitting new approaches and insights. This rapid turnover causes ‘old’ data to lose some of their value. Their short lifespan requires research results to be published quickly, to be freely accessible, and to be speedily discussed.
特別是在天文學領域中，每10年至15年新一代的儀器提供更詳細的數據，允許新的方法和見解。這種快速周轉的原因'舊'的數據失去他們的一些價值。他們的壽命短，需要研究成果將刊登迅速，將可自由近用並迅速予以討論。



In my opinion, it is imperative to apply the Open Access philosophy not just to publications but also to primary data. This includes, for example, the provision of tools for data analysis, data mining and for the presentation of data and results. However, the willingness to make these data available at an early stage varies. While scientists involved in space research have always ensured the early availability and longterm safeguarding of their recorded data, this is not yet the case for earth-bound observations. A frequent line of argument is that financial means are only provided for the science itself and not for services such as archiving data. The solution here is to change the funders’ way of thinking, and to accustom scientists with the need to take into account the cost of publishing data when planning grant applications.

A much-discussed issue in this context is the necessity for a certain ‘embargo period’ during which scientists would have the exclusive right to evaluate ‘their’ data. Many publishers incorporate this type of embargo period into copyright agreements. In this context, scientists would favour a standardised and uncomplicated form that they can fill out quickly.

There are already some examples of excellent Open Access journals that can boast considerable impact factors (e.g. New Journal of Physics, Journal of Cosmology and Astroparticle Physics, as well as the Open Access journals of the European Geosciences Union). However, their acceptance amongst scientists is still relatively low. At the moment, traditional methods of publication are still preferred, since some fear that otherwise their colleagues would not find and quote their article. There is still much convincing to be done here and incentives have to be created to promote the submission of works to Open Access journals. Thus the Max Planck Society takes responsibility for the fees required to publish work in the New Journal of Physics. Traditional publishers should also examine the various opportunities created by the electronic age in order to introduce future products to the market that will appeal to the scientific community and guarantee their survival. Together with the scientists, the challenge should be accepted and new forms of publication should be developed.