Scholarly Publishing in Transition
Update on 18 November 2025: The book is now available Open Access at https://dx.doi.org/10.22028/D291-46556
The monograph Scholarly Publishing in Transition. Open Access, Peer Review, Quality, Research Assessment, Standards is primarily aimed at early-career researchers who wish to reflect on and strategically develop their publication strategies. Especially at the beginning of an academic career, many researchers face the challenge of not only conducting high-quality research but also making it effectively visible. Questions such as
- Where should I publish?
- What role does Open Access play?
- How should I deal with peer review or impact factors?
- How does peer review actually work?
- How are impact scores calculated?
- Where is research assessment heading?
… are just as central as considerations about copyright, licensing, or choosing the right publication venue. This book aims to provide orientation and, at the same time, encourage readers to explore their own paths beyond established routines.
It is also valuable for experienced authors and professors. Many of them regularly attend my workshops to obtain information that goes beyond their established publication practices—patterns often rooted in traditional academic routines that no longer fully reflect the current publishing landscape. In times when Open Science, digital tools, reform initiatives in research assessment, and new business models are dynamically reshaping scholarly communication, it is no longer sufficient to rely on outdated practices. Those who want to stay up to date will find in this book a well-founded yet practice-oriented introduction to the full spectrum of scholarly publishing.
The monograph serves as a reference work for researchers, publication consultants, and anyone involved in scholarly communication. In daily consulting practice, whether in libraries, research services, or within faculties, fundamental questions often arise: What types of Open Access exist, and which are suitable for which discipline? How do peer review procedures work, what variants exist, and where do their strengths and weaknesses lie? What role do metrics play in quality assessment, and what criticisms are made of them? This book aims to present these questions systematically and comprehensively—always with a view to providing practical benefits for readers.
The volume combines practical recommendations with a critical analysis of current developments. This means. In addition to concrete tips for publication practice—such as avoiding predatory journals, choosing suitable licenses, or increasing the visibility of research results—it also sheds light on larger trends.
One focus is on a critical examination of metrics. The Journal Impact Factor, the h-index, and alternative metrics such as Altmetrics and Open Science metrics are not only explained but also discussed in terms of their limitations and risks. Early-career researchers in particular are often under pressure to demonstrate their performance through quantitative indicators. The book shows what these indicators can reveal—and where they can be misleading.
Peer review is also addressed comprehensively. From traditional forms such as single blind or double blind to open review and newer models such as publish, review, curate, the book explains procedures, advantages and disadvantages, and current debates.
Another chapter is dedicated to Open Access. Here, the different models—green, gold, diamond, hybrid, bronze—are systematically presented. Beyond weighing pros and cons, the book also explores the implications for libraries and research institutions. The focus is not only on funding issues but also on aspects such as citation advantages, funder requirements, and the role of transformative agreements.
The book also covers topics such as Creative Commons licenses, the Rights Retention Strategy, the FAIR principles, and strategies for dealing with questionable services in the field of predatory publishing. These elements are indispensable for contemporary scholarly practice and are explained in compact, practice-oriented chapters.
The particular strength of the volume lies in its combination of theory and practice. Developed from years of workshop and consulting experience, it is not a purely theoretical treatise but reflects concrete questions, discussions, and case studies from working with researchers. Thus, it offers both an overview of the major debates and practical assistance for everyday work.
Scholarly Publishing in Transition is a tour d’horizon of the publishing landscape—well-founded, comprehensible, and practice-oriented. Readers are encouraged to reconsider established approaches, explore alternative possibilities, and deliberately design their own publishing strategies. As such, the book serves both as an entry point and a comprehensive guide for anyone aiming to play an active role in shaping scholarly communication.
Title: Scholarly Publishing in Transition. Open Access, Peer Review, Quality, Research Assessment, Standards
Year of Publication: 2025
Page count: 79 pages