The International Association of Scientific, Technical and Medical Publishers (STM) has acknowledged the release of the European Commission's report, "Improving access to and reuse of R&I results." While supporting the intent behind the PPMi-led initiative, STM has raised significant concerns regarding the report's conclusions, its characterization of access and reuse of scientific publications in Europe, and the methodology employed during the study's preparation phase.
According to STM, the data indicates a continuous and substantial increase in funded Open Access to the Version of Record, with a growing number of authors opting for Gold Open Access (OA) when funding is available. This contrasts with the report’s assertions, suggesting a different narrative about the accessibility and reuse of scientific publications.
STM has highlighted several critical issues with the report:
• Survey Methodology: The survey, which underpins the report's findings, is criticized for containing leading and biased questions. STM argues that the survey focused narrowly on a few pre-selected measures, failing to offer a wide range of questions or opportunities for open-ended responses. This approach, according to STM, suggests a pre-determined agenda rather than an objective exploration of the issues.
• Engagement Process: STM believes the timeframe allotted for the study was insufficient given the complexity and significance of the issues. The organization also noted that despite expectations, publishing houses were not directly consulted by the consortium, potentially undermining the comprehensiveness and balance of the findings.
With the European Commission aiming to use the report to guide priority action 2 of the European Research Area Policy Agenda, specifically to propose a legislative framework fit for research, STM urges the Commission to engage in further consultations. STM recommends a detailed analysis of the impact of the recently adopted digital and data legislation, which is still in the early stages of implementation by EU Member States.
STM is committed to assisting the European Commission and Member States in successfully implementing the current legislative framework to maximize its potential. The organization emphasizes the need for fair and thorough examination of the industry, considering all available options.
Expressing a readiness for constructive engagement, STM is open to collaborating with stakeholders and policymakers on initiatives that genuinely advance trusted research. The organization stresses the importance of fair analysis and inclusive consultations in formulating policies that support research access and reuse.
STM plans to provide more detailed comments on the report after conducting a thorough analysis.
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