Author Rights and Copyright
- Author Rights and CopyrightAs the Author of a work you are the copyright holder unless and until you transfer the copyright to someone else in a signed agreement.
- Publication AgreementsAuthors are typically asked to sign legally binding contracts such as a publication agreement or a copyright transfer agreement (both legally binding contracts) usually transferring ownership of copyright to the publisher who then determines how you may use your own work. They are written by publishers and may capture more of your rights than are necessary to publish the work. Ensuring the agreement is balanced and has a clear statement of your rights is up to you.
- SPARC Author Addenda"An author addendum is a proposed modification to a publisher's standard copyright transfer agreement. If accepted, it would allow the author to retain key rights, especially the right to authorize OA. Because an addendum is merely a proposed contract modification, a publisher may accept or reject it."[1]
- Negotiating with your publisher (Cornell University Library)By strategically managing the contract negotiation conversation with your publisher, you will place yourself in a good bargaining position to retain copyright to your article (even if your initial request is rejected). The steps outlined below will help you retain the rights that you need to further develop and disseminate your work following its publication.
Ethics in Publishing
- International Committee of Medical Journal Editors (ICMJE)A list of journals whose editors or publishers have contacted the International Committee of Medical Journal Editors (ICMJE) to request listing as a journal that says it follows the ICMJE's Recommendations for the Conduct, Reporting, Editing and Publication of Scholarly Work in Medical Journals.
Peer Review
A refereed or peer reviewed publication is one that has been evaluated by experts the field prior to publication. Refereed materials are significant to the research and the literature of most academic fields because they assure readers that the information conveyed is reliable and timely.
In contrast, articles submitted to non-refereed materials such as Trade Journals or Magazines are accepted or rejected based on the judgement of the editor.
The term "scholarly publication" is often used to describe refereed materials, but this term is not exclusive to refereed material. Non-refereed materials may not by scrutinized as intensely as refereed materials, but they can still be considered scholarly.
Most biomedical research is reported/published in academic or scholarly (refereed) publications and and the articles have completed the peer-review process.
To determine if a journal is refereed, you can;
- Visit the journal's web site (search Google using quotation marks around the title)
- Limit database search results to "peer reviewed" literature
- Search for the journal title in Ulrich's International Serials Directory
Other clues:
- Little or no advertising Any advertising that is included will directly relate to the field.
- Black & White Text Refereed publicaitons are mostly black and white text with very few photographic material. Articles often include tables, charts and graphs.
- Table of contents will list research articles and non-research material such as editorials, book reviews, literature reviews, and essays.
- Publishing Refereed journals are typcially published weekly, monthly, quarterly, or annualy, often by a professional society, organization or research institution - once a week, once a month, every quarter, or annually. The majority of journals are published four to six times per year and are often published by a professional society, organization or research institution.
- Editorial board Refereed journals have a peer review process. The editorial board is listed along with the organizations they are affiliated with. Information about what types of papers are chosen for publication, the selection process, the length of papers accepted, and how to submit a paper is also provided.
- Indexing Information will include sources where the journal is indexed.