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Open science in Spain: Influence of personal and contextual factors on deposit patterns

Author :  Daniel de Gracia Palomera

Background

This study investigates factors influencing the deposit of academic publications and research data in open access repositories by Spanish researchers.

Methods

Using survey data from a sample of Spanish academics, the research examines the impact of personal attributes (e.g., gender, age, knowledge of open science) and contextual variables (e.g., academic discipline, institutional type) on deposit behaviours. Quantitative methods, including chi-square tests and regression analysis, reveal significant associations between knowledge of open science and deposit practices.

Results

Researchers familiar with open science principles were more likely to deposit multiple versions of articles and datasets, albeit with varying intensity. Key findings highlight disciplinary and institutional differences: researchers in Life Sciences and Experimental Sciences showed higher engagement with both article and data deposits, whereas Health Sciences lagged. Gender differences were also observed, with male researchers depositing articles and datasets more frequently than their female counterparts, though age showed limited impact. Public institutions exhibited lower data deposit rates despite mandates supporting open access.

Conclusions

The study underscores the need for tailored policies, including awareness campaigns, infrastructure investment, and discipline-specific strategies, to promote equitable and widespread adoption of open science practices. Findings contribute to understanding open science implementation, emphasizing the interplay of individual, institutional, and systemic factors.

URL : Open science in Spain: Influence of personal and contextual factors on deposit patterns

DOI : https://doi.org/10.12688/f1000research.160207.1

 

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Moving Open Repositories out of the Blind Spot of Initiatives to Correct the Scholarly Record

Author : Frédérique Bordignon

Open repositories were created to enhance access and visibility of scholarly publications, driven by open science ideals emphasising transparency and accessibility. However, they lack mechanisms to update the status of corrected or retracted publications, posing a threat to the integrity of the scholarly record. To explore the scope of the problem, a manually verified corpus was examined: we extracted all the entries in the Crossref × Retraction Watch database for which the publication date of the corrected or retracted document ranged from 2013 to 2023.

This corresponded to 24,430 entries with a DOI, which we use to query Unpaywall and identify their possible indexing in HAL, an open repository (second largest institutional repository worldwide). In most cases (91%), HAL does not mention corrections. While the study needs broader scope, it highlights the necessity of improving the role of open repositories in correction processes with better curation practices.

We discuss how harvesting operations and the interoperability of platforms can maintain the integrity of the entire scholarly record. Not only will the open repositories avoid damaging its reliability through ambiguous reporting, but on the contrary, they will also strengthen it.

URL : Moving Open Repositories out of the Blind Spot of Initiatives to Correct the Scholarly Record

DOI : https://doi.org/10.1002/leap.1655

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The Impact of Print-on-Demand on Spanish University Presses

Authors : Marta Magadán-Díaz, Jesús I. Rivas-García

The university book plays a crucial role in disseminating research and teaching, but its usage has declined due to a preference for journal articles and digital materials. This article examines how Spanish university presses are employing Print-on-Demand (POD) to adapt to changes in the publishing market, enhancing flexibility, reducing costs and optimising the production of monographs and academic books. POD enables publishers to print copies based on actual demand, minimising the risk of overproduction and storage costs.

This model has transformed the publishing supply chain, offering efficient solutions for managing the lifecycle of books, from their launch to potential delisting. University presses are also using innovations in digital printing to respond swiftly to fluctuations in the academic market. This study adopts a qualitative approach to examine how POD affects scholarly publishers’ efficiency, longevity and production strategies, proposing that this technology is crucial for the future sustainability and competitiveness of the sector. The flexibility of POD is vital in environments where demand is unpredictable, and scholarly publishers must manage financial resources carefully.

URL : The Impact of Print-on-Demand on Spanish University Presses

DOI : https://doi.org/10.1002/leap.1658

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Open minds, tied hands: Awareness, behavior, and reasoning on open science and irresponsible research behavior

Authors : Wisnu Wiradhany, Farah M. Djalal, Anique B. H. de Bruin

Background

Knowledge on Open Science Practices (OSP) has been promoted through responsible conduct of research training and the development of open science infrastructure to combat Irresponsible Research Behavior (IRB). Yet, there is limited evidence for the efficacy of OSP in minimizing IRB.

Methods

We asked N=778 participants to fill in questionnaires that contain OSP and ethical reasoning vignettes, and report self-admission rates of IRB and personality traits.

Results

We found that against our initial prediction, even though OSP was negatively correlated with IRB, this correlation was very weak, and upon controlling for individual differences factors, OSP neither predicted IRB nor was this relationship moderated by ethical reasoning. On the other hand, individual differences factors, namely dark personality triad, and conscientiousness and openness, contributed more to IRB than OSP knowledge.

Conclusions

Our findings suggest that OSP knowledge needs to be complemented by the development of ethical virtues to encounter IRBs more effectively.

URL : Open minds, tied hands: Awareness, behavior, and reasoning on open science and irresponsible research behavior

DOI : https://doi.org/10.1080/08989621.2025.2457100

 

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Use of artificial intelligence innovations in public academic libraries

Authors : Amogelang Isaac Molaudzi, Patrick Ngulube

Public academic libraries are among the many organisations concerned about using artificial intelligence (AI) technologies. The study adopted a mixed methods research (MMR) approach using a concurrent research design to examine the use of AI innovations in public academic libraries. Thematic and descriptive statistical data analysis was used to analyse the data gathered from questionnaires, interviews and document content analysis. The findings revealed that public academic libraries in South Africa did not have clear strategies for adopting AI innovations.

Consequently, AI was not widely used. Library management systems can support AI, but some must be upgraded. Librarians had excellent computer literacy, although many had not received AI training to broaden their expertise and awareness of this innovation. Results suggested that public academic libraries should create comprehensive AI adoption strategies responsive to AI trends.

This study highlights the need for strategies that ensure AI technologies are utilized ethically, equitably, and with accountability. It also contributes to the literature on the use of AI in academic libraries. The results of this study may encourage public academic librarians to begin planning the incorporation of AI technology into their strategies.

URL : Use of artificial intelligence innovations in public academic libraries

DOI : https://doi.org/10.1177/0340035224130178

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Sustainability and Academic Libraries. A story from Denmark

Authors : Najmeh Shaghaei, Dorch Bertil

The University of Southern Denmark has set out its Vision and Strategy and the Library has become an eminent partner in supporting the University in achieving its sustainability ambitions.

This editorial highlights how research libraries support sustainable development and why they are crucial for the achievement of sustainability across the university. It calls attention to national and local projects that the University Library of Southern Denmark works on to promote sustainability in its innovation and day-to-day operations and services.

URL : Sustainability and Academic Libraries. A story from Denmark

DOI : https://doi.org/10.53377/lq.20154

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Open But Hidden: Open Access Gaps in the National Science Foundation Public Access Repository

Authors : Kimberly R. Powell, Jenny Townes, Fred Rascoe

Introduction

In 2022, the U.S. government released new guidelines for making publicly funded research open and available. For the National Science Foundation (NSF), these policies reinforce requirements in place since 2016 for supported research to be submitted to the Public Access Repository (PAR).

Methods

To evaluate the public access compliance of research articles submitted to the NSF-PAR, this study searched for NSF-PAR records published between 2017 and 2021 from two research intensive institutions. Records were reviewed to determine whether the PAR held a deposited copy, as required by the 2016 policies, or provided a link out to publisher-held version(s).

Results

A total of 841 unique records were identified, all with publicly accessible versions. Yet only 42% had a deposited PDF version available in the repository as required by the NSF 2016 Public Access Policy. The remaining 58% directed instead to publisher-held versions. In total, only 55% of record links labeled “Full Text Available” directed users to a publicly accessible version with a single click.

Discussion

Records within PAR do not clearly direct users to the publicly accessible full text. In almost half of records, the most prominently displayed link directed users to a paywall version, even when a publicly available version existed. Records accessible only through the CHORUS (Clearing House for the Open Research of the United States) initiative were further obscured by requiring specialized navigation of publisher-owned sites.

Conclusion:

Despite having a repository mandate since 2016, NSF compliance rates remain low. Additional support and/or oversight is needed to address the additional requirements introduced under the 2022 memo.

URL : Open But Hidden: Open Access Gaps in the National Science Foundation Public Access Repository

DOI : https://doi.org/10.31274/jlsc.17767