What should an OA publishing service platform do

Introduction

• Definition of OA Journal: An Open Access (OA) Journal is a scholarly publication that is freely available online, without subscription or paywall barriers.
• Importance of OA Journals: OA Journals are important because they make research more widely available and accessible, which can lead to increased citations and impact for authors, as well as greater societal and scientific benefits.

Platform Development

• Design and Development of the Platform: The platform should be designed and developed with the needs of authors, reviewers, editors, and readers in mind. It should be user-friendly, reliable, and secure.
• Testing and Bug Fixing: The platform should be thoroughly tested for bugs and errors, and any issues should be fixed promptly.
• User Acceptance Testing: Before launching the platform, it should be tested by a group of users to ensure that it meets their needs and expectations.

Journal Setup

• Journal Creation: The first step in setting up an OA Journal is to create the journal itself, including its scope, focus, and editorial policies.
• Journal Configuration: Once the journal has been created, it needs to be configured within the platform, including setting up the submission and review processes.
• Journal Branding: The journal should be branded with a unique name, logo, and visual identity that reflects its mission and values.

Manuscript Management

• Online Submission: Manuscripts should be submitted online through the platform, with clear instructions and guidelines for authors.
• Peer Review Management: The platform should facilitate the peer review process, including assigning reviewers, collecting feedback, and making editorial decisions.
• Editorial Decision Making: The editor-in-chief and editorial board should make final decisions on whether to accept or reject manuscripts, based on the feedback of reviewers and their own expertise.

Publication Management

• Copyediting and Typesetting: Manuscripts should be copyedited and typeset to ensure readability and consistency.
• DOI Allocation: Each published manuscript should be assigned a unique Digital Object Identifier (DOI) to ensure its long-term accessibility and citability.
• Online Publication: The final versions of manuscripts should be published online in a timely manner.

Indexing and Archiving

• Indexing in Major Databases: The journal should be indexed in major databases such as PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science to increase visibility and impact.
• Archiving and Preservation: The journal should be archived and preserved in a trusted repository to ensure its long-term accessibility and preservation.

Promotion and Marketing

• Social Media Promotion: The journal should be promoted on social media platforms such as Twitter, Facebook, and LinkedIn to increase awareness and engagement.
• Email Marketing: Regular email newsletters should be sent to subscribers to keep them informed about the latest articles and news from the journal.
• Search Engine Optimization: The journal's website should be optimized for search engines to increase its visibility and attract more readers.

Conclusion

• Future Scope: The platform should be designed to allow for future expansion and growth, including the addition of new journals and features.
• Challenges and Solutions: Any challenges or issues that arise should be addressed promptly and effectively.

Sustainability and Maintenance

• Regular Maintenance and Updates: The platform should be regularly maintained and updated to ensure its reliability and security.
• Technical Support and Troubleshooting: Technical support and troubleshooting should be provided to users as needed.

User Training and Support

• Providing guidance and support to users, including authors and reviewers, on using the platform and managing their submissions.
• Offering technical support and troubleshooting assistance as needed.

Financial Management

• Developing and implementing a sustainable financial model, which may include article processing charges, institutional memberships, or other revenue streams.
• Managing finances, including budgeting, invoicing, and payment processing.

Continuous Improvement

• Monitoring user feedback and platform usage to identify areas for improvement.
• Conducting regular evaluations and making necessary updates and improvements to the platform.

Collaboration with other OA journals and platforms to share resources and best practices.

• Integration with third-party tools and services, such as plagiarism detection software and citation management tools.
• Ongoing research and development to stay up-to-date with the latest trends and technologies in online publishing.