Publication fee?

[deleted106747]

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Is it normal for a journal to charge a publication fee?

 

[neuronic]

Yes. Some also charge fees just for submitting for review.

 

[xXIDaShizIXx]

Yes. Some also charge fees just for submitting for review.

Which I think in many cases is ridiculous. But yes OP, it is normal for them to charge.

 

[AcronymAllergy]

Most of the journals at which I typically look don't have submission or publication fees, but it does seem to be becoming a more common thing.

 

[futureapppsy2]

Most of the journals at which I typically look don't have submission or publication fees, but it does seem to be becoming a more common thing.

I've seen them much more frequently in non-US/Canada-based journals, FWIW.

 

[LivingOffLoans]

Is it normal for a journal to charge a publication fee?

If you don't mind me asking, what are they asking for? Do you know what the average range for something like that is?

 

[neuronic]

If you don't mind me asking, what are they asking for? Do you know what the average range for something like that is?

Not sure of the OP's experience, but most will ask for figure printing costs, which can run a few hundred or more if in color. Most journals now offer a public access option which is about 3K, but I don't think it is required.

 

[researchgirl]

wide range - most i've seen are in the $300-500 range. it seems to be becoming more and more popular, but i think it's total BS

 

[AcronymAllergy]

wide range - most i've seen are in the $300-500 range. it seems to be becoming more and more popular, but i think it's total BS

Wow, the one or two journals I'd looked at that had them were closer to $70-80. I don't know that I could imagine paying $300-500 out of pocket just to submit or publish an article. Sort of like how I completely balk when I see the asking price on gaining temporary electronic access to a journal article.

 

[deleted106747]

Thanks everyone. I decided not to submit to the journal so I don't know the publication fee... it's not worth it to me. Things in our field are bad enough in terms of money without us having to pay to get our work published after working on it for years.

 

[chman]

Wow, the one or two journals I'd looked at that had them were closer to $70-80. I don't know that I could imagine paying $300-500 out of pocket just to submit or publish an article. Sort of like how I completely balk when I see the asking price on gaining temporary electronic access to a journal article.

This. I still get free access to anything I need through the university, but the price for access is ridiculous, often. I understand that it takes labor to keep a journal running etc., but I find it a bit unethical that studies that are more often than not funded with government grants at public universities are not readily available to the public to read. Am I missing something here?

 

[MCParent]

This. I still get free access to anything I need through the university, but the price for access is ridiculous, often. I understand that it takes labor to keep a journal running etc., but I find it a bit unethical that studies that are more often than not funded with government grants at public universities are not readily available to the public to read. Am I missing something here?

Studies funded through NIH are publicly accessible. http://publicaccess.nih.gov/

 

[neuronic]

Studies funded through NIH are publicly accessible. http://publicaccess.nih.gov/

True, but kind of slim pickins when the NIH funding level is so low vs. grants submitted.

 

[chman]

Studies funded through NIH are publicly accessible. http://publicaccess.nih.gov/

Yeah, that makes sense, and I have seen these available on the web.. It does seem, however, that not all are available, but I could be wrong. I also think that anything done at public universities should be available to the public, but I admit I don't know all the ins and outs of this issue. It just seems outrageous to charge $30+ for access to an academic article that is meant to benefit the knowledge of the greater public, scientific, and clinical community.

 

[neuronic]

Yeah, that makes sense, and I have seen these available on the web.. It does seem, however, that not all are available, but I could be wrong. I also think that anything done at public universities should be available to the public, but I admit I don't know all the ins and outs of this issue. It just seems outrageous to charge $30+ for access to an academic article that is meant to benefit the knowledge of the greater public, scientific, and clinical community.

That is why writing a good abstract is so important, as those are what everyone typically can access and have time to read.

 

[AcronymAllergy]

That is why writing a good abstract is so important, as those are what everyone typically can access and have time to read.

Indeed, although of course the trouble with going by abstracts is that there generally isn't enough room to describe the methodology in sufficient detail to allow the reader to determine whether or not the study is actually at all scientifically sound. Peer review of course often catches glaring issues, but not always, and not in all areas.

 

[JeyRo]

Paying someone to publish your article for you sounds bogus to me.

 

[AcronymAllergy]

Paying someone to publish your article for you sounds bogus to me.

I'd initially thought so as well, but it seems to be becoming more common, especially regarding the pay-to-submit/review thing.