What are different Open Access versions of publications?
Answer
For more information about any of these topics, please contact the Library
Green OA
= self-archived, usually preliminary, version of an article
Authors provide access to pre-publication or post-publication versions with permission from the publisher.
These can usually be found in subject or disciplinary repositories (e.g., arXiv, PubMed Central) or institutional repositories (WIS OA Repository search).
Gold OA
= freely accessible FINAL version of an article
These publications are open and accessed via the journal or publisher's website
These can either be published in a journal which publishes only Open Access articles or in a journal which, usually for a fee, allows individual Open Access articles to be published in an otherwise subscription-based journal.
Versions and Embargo
These versions may be gold (publisher website) or green (other website)
Pre-print = Early draft. The paper has been submitted to a publisher but has yet to be peer-reviewed or accepted.
Other terms: Author original, Author's version, Submitted version
Post-print = Peer-reviewed version, accepted, but may not yet be formatted by the publisher. Accepted manuscripts may vary from the final published version.
Other terms: Accepted manuscript, Final draft, Accepted version, Refereed.
Published version = Final version. Peer-reviewed, published in a journal, and formatted by the publisher.
Other terms: Publisher's version, Version of record
Embargo = Delayed Open Access. Some subscription journals make all their content Open Access after a specified period of time has passed.
How Do I Know Publisher Policy?
Visit SHERPA/RoMEO to check self-archiving, embargo, and copyright policies for specific publishers and publications.