Modelos de negócios praticados por periódicos de acesso aberto da Biblioteconomia e Ciência da Informação

Abstract

This study aimed to investigate the business models practiced by open access journals in the areas of Information Science and Librarianship, indexed in the Directory of Open Access Journals (DOAJ). Its specific objectives were: to identify the current business models practiced by national and international open access journals; to map in the DOAJ the open access journals that use Article Processing Charges (APCs); and, finally, to analyze the profiles of the journals that charge APCs. The research methodology used a quanti-qualitative approach, an exploratory study, and the use of the documental method. The data collection was carried out at DOAJ, retrieving the journals from the Library and Information Science areas that are indexed in the filter "Bibliography. Library science. Information resources", followed by a visit to each journal's web page, in order to identify its descriptive characteristics. Content analysis was used to analyze the data collected by establishing categories. As a result, it was verified that most of the journals retrieved in the filter do not charge APCs; of those that do, most use the 'Publishing Fees' business model with discount policies and/or fee exemptions. It was also found that there is no standardization in the amount of fees charged to authors. The results show that business models are still little practiced by journals in the Library and Information Science fields. It is concluded that this theme has different relevant perspectives to be considered about the financial sustainability of a journal, since it has advantages and disadvantages, especially regarding the authors of articles to be submitted in journals that use APCs.