Electronic Publishing: How, What and Why?
Response by Theresa Guild to “Open Access Part I: The Movement, The Issues, and The Benefits” and “Open Access Part II: The Structure, Resources, and Implications for Nurses” by Jan Nick, PhD, RNC-OB, CNE, ANEF (November 23, 2011)
Dear Editor:
Utilizing online database searches for access to evidenced based research creates limits to the ability to perform comprehensive literature searches. Research articles may be located, but access to them is limited based on availability in specific databases. I was delighted to see the articles on Open Access. Access to current research is a necessity for creation of evidence based practice and influencing quality outcomes. Haynes (1998) cited access to best evidence and guidelines as important in developing an evidenced based clinical practice. Information related to the provisions of Open Access, including background information providing explanation of the concept; addressing concerns related to peer review processes; and defining its implication to the global information network, is imperative to advocate for authors to participate in this practice. The advent of value-based purchasing and its influence on improving quality outcomes (Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services [CMS], 2011) places emphasis on the importance of accessing research to guide in development of evidence based practices. The premise of these articles by Nick (2011a; 2011b) provides information to researchers and potential researchers, therefore influencing the use of Open Access by nursing scholars, was an important and timely endeavor. Thank you for providing a wealth of information related to this innovative publishing model.
Theresa Guild BSN, RN
Email: theresa.guild@sbcglobal.net
References
Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. (2011). CMS issues final rule for first year of hospital value-based purchasing program. Retrieved from http://cms.gov/Newsroom/MediaReleaseDatabase/Fact-Sheets/2011-Fact-Sheets-Items/2011-04-29.html
Haynes, B., (1998). Barriers and bridges to evidence based clinical practice. BMJ. 317(7153). 273-276. Retrieved from www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1113594/
Nick, J. (2011a). Open access part I: The movement, the issues, and the benefits. OJIN: The Online Journal of Issues in Nursing, 17(1). DOI: 10.3912/OJIN.Vol17No01PPT03
Nick, J. (2011b). Open access part II: The structure, resources, and implications for nurses. OJIN: The Online Journal of Issues in Nursing, 17(1). DOI: 10.3912/OJIN.Vol17No01PPT02
