Awareness Of Open Access Publishing And Its Importance Among College Teachers: A Study Among The College Teachers In Mangalore

Abstract

The study titled "Awareness of Open Access Publishing and its Importance among College Teachers: A Study among the College Teachers in Mangalore" investigates the awareness, perceptions, and challenges associated with Open Access (OA) publishing among college teachers in Mangalore. The study reveals that while a significant majority (81%) of teachers are familiar with OA, only 11% have published in OA journals, indicating a gap between awareness and participation. It highlights those junior academics, such as Assistant Professors and Guest Faculty, show lower engagement with OA publishing. The study also emphasizes that a vast majority (78%) believe OA increases research visibility, with senior academics prioritizing free access to knowledge. Key barriers include high publication charges (70%) and concerns about predatory journals (23%). The findings suggest that addressing financial challenges and enhancing awareness could promote greater adoption of OA publishing practices among college teachers.