Open-Access Resources

 

What is Open-Access?

Open-access (OA) resources are designed to provide free access to users. It is online and digital. Authors normally retain the right to be identified as the creator of the work, and may choose to retain the right to a) the unalterability of their creation and to b) the prevention of commercialization of their creation.

 

It is NOT:

• copyright free
• free to produce

The PLoS shorthand definition —"free availability and unrestricted use"— succinctly captures both elements.

 

White House is increasingly behind open access:

 

 

 

 

SharingInHealth uses a creative commons license, and each of it's pages are identified as such at the bottom. Our license states users are free to:

 

You are free:

• to Share — to copy, distribute and transmit the work
• to Remix — to adapt the work

Under the following conditions:

• Attribution — You must attribute the work in the manner specified by the author or licensor (but not in any way that suggests that they endorse you or your use of the work).
• Noncommercial — You may not use this work for commercial purposes.
• Share Alike — If you alter, transform, or build upon this work, you may distribute the resulting work only under the same or similar licence to this one.

We ask all contributors to agree to these conditions, and sign our contract stating such.

 

 

http://freedomdefined.org/Licenses/NC

 

The Cochrane Library will begin releasing their publications to the OA world 12 months after publication; news release here.

 

 

Resources and References

Ellaway R, Martin RD. 2008. What's mine is yours-open source as a new paradigm for sustainable healthcare education. Medical Teacher. 30(2):175-9.

 

Open Access Overview - Peter Suber