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Open publishing of public health research in Africa

In our previous study, we shed light on how imperative it is to enhance the accessibility of publications in African public health journals. Building upon this groundwork, this study sought to delineate the current landscape regarding the knowledge of, obstacles to, and enthusiasm for capacity building in open publishing within the realm of public health research across Africa. The study used an online survey to glean responses from 91 participants from 16 African nations, comprising authors (75%), reviewers (53%), journal editors (40%), and journal publishers (19%), with some individuals assuming multiple roles. Notably, respondents possessed experience in both traditional and open access publishing modalities. Surprisingly, less than half of the respondents recognised the advantages associated with open publishing, such as enhanced accessibility, increased citations, and heightened transparency. Additionally, a portion of the respondents provided inaccurate responses, underscoring the need for educational interventions. Nevertheless, the survey unveiled a notable interest among participants in embracing open publishing paradigms, particularly through avenues like preprints and open peer review. Moreover, a significant majority expressed a desire for access to complimentary online courses and mentorship programmes. This study underscores the immense potential for empowering African researchers with the requisite skills to engage with online publishing platforms effectively. By offering guidance for future capacity-building endeavours, including access to online educational resources and mentorship initiatives, this research paves the way for fostering a robust open publishing ecosystem in Africa. The implications extend beyond public health, resonating across various disciplines where locally-informed solutions derived from indigenous research findings hold paramount importance. As such, the insights gathered from this study bear relevance for advancing scholarly communication practices across diverse fields. Click here to read further.

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