The BOAI states a set of principles and actions designed to free the research literature from the conventional model of publishing research. Scientific research is published by scientists without thought of compensation. Much of the research is supported by public funds. Journals are edited and papers are peer-reviewed by scientists, again mostly without compensation. Finally papers are published in research journals that are made available by subscription. By their nature, subscription prices cause limited access to the literature. Even the best-funded institutions cannot afford every journal, and smaller institutions, less-well-off countries, and most individuals have no access to a significant portion of the literature. It is this restricted access that the BOAI seeks to overcome.
Unlike last year's Public Library of Science declaration, the BOAI does not advocate a boycott of noncomplying publications. However, it does promote a number of steps that authors and journal editors can take to promote ...
