SOAP

Study of Open Access Publishing

Project homepage: SOAP

Project coordinator: European Organisation for Nuclear Research (CERN), Switzerland

MPDL contact: Ralf Schimmer

Partner:

  • European Organisation for Nuclear Research (CERN), Switzerland
  • Science and Technology Facilities Council (STFC), United Kingdom
  • BioMed Central Ltd, United Kingdom
  • Sage Publications Ltd, United Kingdom
  • Springer Science + Business Media Deutschland GmbH, Germany

Duration: 01.03.2009 - 28.02.2011

Aim of the project:
The EU funded project Study of Open Access Publishing (SOAP) will describe and analyse Open Access publishing. By studying current Open Access business models and performing a comprehensive survey of Open Access attitudes of researchers across all disciplines, the project will address the need for fact-based evidence of what might and what might not work. The goal of the SOAP project is to document different paths leading to an orderly transition to Open Access publishing and delineate a number of directions along which publishing may evolve in the future.

Role of the MPDL:
The primary role of the MPDL is the characterization of Open Access publishing business models (WP 2). Furthermore the MPDL is in charge of the communication and dissemination activities (WP 5). The MPDL is engaged in the other project work packages only in a minor role.