Zack Jenio
Over the past two years, I have been working tirelessly on trying to research and create articles that could be published in academic journals in order for me to join the conversation about new, innovative topics that interest me. After finally finishing my work, my article was accepted by a professional journal.
Amidst all of my excitement and joy, I began to read the next steps that I needed to complete in order to continue in the publication process. I realized that I needed to pay a publication fee, even though the article would only be available online and was free for everyone. At first I didn’t mind, until I saw that the invoice attached was for $1,390!
I live off of ramen, and I never get extra guacamole on my Chipotle burritos, so where am I supposed to find over $1,000 lying around? In today’s academic community, research is a pivotal skill and almost a necessity for many young scientists. However, the fees associated are far too high and act as a barrier to personal growth and to increasing the knowledge within a certain field. Researchers already face various financial burdens such as work funding and equipment/supplies funding, but the publication fees alone are particularly absurd and over the top.
As NC State prides itself as an emerging research institution in our nation, it makes sense that many undergraduate students find themselves getting involved in research whether it be with a faculty mentor or independently. Additionally, it is common for employers to prefer students who have completed projects like research during their undergraduate experience. Plus, research has also been found to teach students various skills such as communication and professional experience.
Economist Bo-Christer Björk of the Hanken School of Economics in Helsinki found that article costs can range from $8 to $3,900 with an average of about $660 in 2011. Björk further defined the increase in prices as the “price of prestige,” which acknowledges a positive correlation between the price to publish within a specific journal and its impact factor within the world. Not to mention, some journals also charge a small fee before acceptance to the journal and still have the ability to reject the article.
As students simply trying to improve our researching, collaborating and communicating skills in professional, academic environments, it is absolutely absurd for journals to require such high publication fees. Not to mention, since so many employers have exclaimed that they prefer to hire students that were involved in research, there is an added pressure to get involved in order to increase the strength of one’s resume for the job market.
Sadly, these prices won’t be changing anytime soon and it would be naive of me to simply stand on a soapbox and hope for the best. However, the NC State Office of Undergraduate Research has hundreds of resources to help students with any part of the research process.
Specifically regarding publications, NC State offers the Undergraduate Research Journal of NC State University (URJ-NCState) for students to submit research completed by undergraduates. Additionally, if students would like to submit to a journal with a larger impact factor, then they can submit to Explorations: The Journal of Undergraduate Research and Creative Activities for the State of North Carolina.
As frustrating as it is, research won’t be getting any cheaper anytime soon even though the demand for young researchers is increasing significantly. Luckily, NC State not only leads the way in offering resources but has an office with faculty ready to assist students that want to get involved with research. While we may be a few steps away from affordable publication, the academic world could learn a lot from NC State about accommodating young scientists and reducing publication fees, letting you get to complete and hopefully publish research and still afford guacamole on your Chipotle.