In the last couple of days we have seen the launch of a beta version of SHERPA/FACT, a tool to help authors ‘comply with research funders’ policies on open access to publications.’ FACT aims to enable authors and those supporting research determine whether a journal policy supports funder compliance via the ‘green’ route (depositing a copy of the paper in ORA or other repository) and ‘gold’ publication (publishing in an open access journal or journal with open option).
FACT pulls together data from the two existing services, SHERPA Romeo (publishers’ policies) and Juliet (funders’ policies). It currently includes details for RCUK and Wellcome Trust.
Using SHERPA/FACT
Go to www.sherpa.ac.uk/fact/, select a funding agency, type a journal title (or ISSN) into the search box, indicate the stage of publication you are at, and click ‘Search.’ You will be directed to a summary indicating the selected journal’s position with respect to compliance with your chosen funder’s policy.
I should stress here that the University of Oxford’s view is that the choice of journal in which to publish rests entirely with authors (see the University’s ‘Statement on open access‘).
What do you think?
- Will SHERPA/FACT provide the information you need to help you assess easily whether you can deposit a copy of your work in ORA or whether the gold option meets the funder’s criteria?
- Are there improvements that could be made to SHERPA/FACT that will help you and other researchers find the information you need?
- Do you have any other comments about SHERPA/FACT that you would like to pass to the development team?
Please send your feedback and comments about SHERPA/FACT by the end of Monday 15th April to sally.rumsey@bodleian.ox.ac.uk or add your comments to this blog post. I shall collate responses from the University of Oxford to send to colleagues at SHERPA.
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