Open Access Journals in Educational Sciences.

Selected Aspects on the functioning of scientific Journals

Abstract

This article examines selected aspects of the functioning of scientific Open Access Journals in the Educational Sciences using illustrative examples. Starting from the attempt to explore the volume of publications in (Swiss) Educational Sciences, the focus is on the changing role of library catalogues and on the open access to scientific content, especially to Open Access Journals. In response to the question of the characteristics of a journal as such, it is becoming increasingly clear that open metadata are one of the central means of dissemination and discoverability. A look at comparable journals within Europe reveals additional challenges for quality assurance. The concluding discussion highlights the power shifts that Open Access Journals imply, it questions the high publication output worldwide, and ultimately demands sustainability and reliability, both in terms of data structures, and in terms of support by universities.