Archive Policy

As an author publishing in an academic journal, it is essential to understand the archive policy, which governs the preservation and long-term access to your published work. The archive policy ensures that scholarly publications remain available and accessible for future reference, research, and educational purposes. This guide outlines the key considerations and best practices related to the archive policy.

1. Importance of Archiving:

  • Archiving scholarly publications is crucial for preserving the intellectual record and promoting the continuity of knowledge.
  • It ensures that your work remains accessible and discoverable for future generations of researchers and scholars.
  • Archiving also helps to protect against the loss of valuable research outputs due to technological obsolescence, website changes, or other unforeseen circumstances.

2. Types of Archives:

  • Institutional Repositories: Many universities and research institutions maintain digital repositories to archive and disseminate the scholarly outputs of their faculty and researchers.
  • Subject Repositories: Discipline-specific repositories exist to collect and preserve publications in specific fields or subject areas.
  • National and International Archives: Some countries or organizations maintain national or international archives to preserve scholarly publications on a larger scale.

3. Versions of Manuscripts:

  • The archive policy typically specifies which version(s) of your manuscript can be archived and under what conditions.
  • Common versions include the submitted manuscript (pre-print), the accepted manuscript (post-print or author's accepted manuscript), and the published version (version of record).
  • It is essential to understand the journal's specific requirements regarding which version(s) can be archived and any applicable embargo periods.

4. Embargo Periods:

  • Some journals may impose an embargo period before allowing the archiving of certain versions of the manuscript.
  • The embargo period is intended to protect the commercial interests of the publisher and ensure that the published version remains the primary source for a specified duration.
  • Authors should familiarize themselves with the embargo period requirements and comply with them accordingly.

5. Author Rights and Self-Archiving:

  • Many journals allow authors to self-archive their work in institutional or subject repositories, often after an embargo period.
  • Self-archiving enables authors to increase the visibility and accessibility of their research while adhering to the journal's policies.
  • Authors should review the specific terms and conditions related to self-archiving, including any restrictions or requirements imposed by the journal or publisher.

6. Copyright and Licensing:

  • The archive policy may be influenced by the copyright and licensing terms associated with the publication.
  • Open access publications often have less restrictive licensing terms, allowing for broader archiving and dissemination of the published work.
  • Authors should carefully review the copyright transfer agreement or license agreement to understand their rights and obligations regarding archiving.

7. Citation and Attribution:

  • When archiving or sharing your work, it is crucial to provide proper citation and attribution to the original publication source.
  • This includes acknowledging the journal, publisher, and other relevant bibliographic details to ensure accurate attribution and compliance with copyright regulations.