Reflection on 11 April 2017 LBS708 Class– based
on the definitions of OA, the purpose of this is to develop and enhance
people’s knowledge by providing free access to well researched information. But let us rather take a look at a detailed definition of OA:
Open
access (OA) refers to online research outputs that are free of all restrictions
on access (e.g. access tolls) and free of manyrestrictions on use (e.g. certain
copyright and license restrictions). Open
access can be applied to all forms of published research output, including peer-reviewed
and non-peer-reviewed academic journal articles, conference papers, theses, book chapters, and monographs. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Open_access
[Accessed 12 April 2017].
Libraries and OA:
The
Berlin Declaration on Open Access
In 2003, a landmark meeting organized by the Max Planck Society and the European Cultural Heritage Online project brought together international experts with the aim of developing a new web-based research environment using the Open Access paradigm as a mechanism for having scientific knowledge and cultural heritage accessible worldwide.
As a result of
the meeting, leading international research, scientific, and cultural
institutions issued and signed the Berlin Declaration on Open Access to Knowledge in the Sciences and Humanities,
a document that outlines concrete steps to promote the Internet as a medium
for disseminating global knowledge.
The Berlin
Declaration builds on the widely accepted Budapest Open Access Initiative,
which calls for the results of research produced by authors without expectation
of payment to be made widely available on the Internet, and to carry
permissions necessary for users to use and re-use results in a way that
accelerates the pace of scholarship and research.
The Declaration
has been signed by nearly 300 research institutions, libraries, archives,
museums, funding agencies, and governments from around the world. The
geographic and disciplinary diversity of the support for the Berlin Declaration
is illustrated by the signatories, which range from the leaders of the Max
Plank Society to the Chinese Academy of Sciences, to Academia Europaea. Most
recently, both Harvard University and the International Federation of Library
Associations added their names to the roster of signatories. http://www.berlin9.org/about/declaration/
[Accessed 12 April 2017]
Interesting session we had, I am certain we as prospective researchers had learnt a lot.
ReplyDeleteYou can say that again, I know there's a lot of research students who are not aware of OA.......they are missing out hey. We need to promote awareness on this, it will really help a lot of people.
DeleteInformative. It is weird how much we do not know, and how daunting it is that we have so much to learn,
ReplyDeletesometimes those who know still don't use the opportunity......sad I know
DeleteGreat work Fikiswa. I like what you’ve done with your blog.
ReplyDeleteThank you Devon. I am still trying to find my feet, but it gets better with time.
DeleteHi Fikiswa, It was interesting to read, especially about the Berlin Declaration on Open Access. This was insightful.
ReplyDeleteI only knew about Berlin's declaration when we had a discussion in class. How we have missed on such information because of lack of awareness on OA
DeleteGood Fikiswa I wondering what happen in those Countries and universities which have less resources to access information from wealth cities because information is commodity. Its why Researcher/academics leave African countries and live in better
ReplyDeleteBut I am sure that things will get better as lot of countries are developing. Technology has taken place and before we know it, everything will be digital......hence there's already digital libraries in other developed countries.
DeleteVery insightful and informative blog!
ReplyDelete