Breast Cancer Research: the move to introduce article-processing charges

Abstract

We believe that the open-access model will be more sustainable than the traditional subscription model, under which journal prices have been rising faster than inflation and faster than library budgets for three decades [5,6]. Between 1970 and 1995, the average subscription price of a science, technology or medical journal increased by 471% [4]. Consequently, subscriptions by academic institutions as well as by individual academics have decreased sharply, which means that researchers have access only to a small percentage of all research in their field [7]. What do the article-processing charges pay for?As an open-access journal, Breast Cancer Research does not differ from traditional journals in its commitment to peer review or its way of conducting it. We take seriously the journal's "gate-keeping function" [1] to control and certify research quality. Article-processing charges will cover the cost of our high-quality peer review, copy-editing and publication, and ensure permanent world-wide, barrier-free, open access to the full text of research articles published in Breast Cancer Research.

Article processing charges for open access journal publishing: A review

“…When BioMed Central introduced APCs across its portfolio of journals, numerous editorials were published to justify this decision. The publisher stated that, since authors obtained the reward for publication, it was logical that they ‘cover the costs of peer review and publication’ (Schnelle et al, 2003, p. 218). In addition to underlining the benefits of access without economic barriers, to other scientists and the general public, the publisher gave three reasons to justify the APC model: it was more sustainable than the traditional subscription model and its price increases beyond inflation and library budgets (Marincola, 2003; Schnelle et al, 2003); authors retained copyright so the article could be published freely on the web, submitted to interested readers and colleagues and article components could be utilized in other publications without a request for permission (Bukovsky & Bazer, 2003); and free online articles were cited more because of their greater availability (Mathers & Murray, 2003; Velterop, 2003).…”