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Library Services

Using the Journal Checker Tool (JCT)

The Journal Checker Tool (JCT) is an online tool created by cOAlition S that enables authors funded by research organisations supporting Plans S to find compliant “routes” through which to publish their articles. The tool can be used for research funders such as the Wellcome Trust and UKRI. A full list of the research funders covered in the Journal Checker Tool (JCT) can be viewed on this page

Front page of the Journal Checker Tool

To use the Journal Checker Tool enter the name of the journal you wish to publish with, your research funder and your current institution. This information will then be checked against the publisher and research funders open access policies, as well as any publisher agreements your institution is part of and provide advice on whether there is a compliant publishing route. The results given by the Journal Checker Tool are explained below.

Journal checker tool full open access result image

This shows your chosen journal is a fully open access title. Publishing in a fully open access journal is compliant with the majority of research funders providing the journal allows the correct open access licence.

What to do next:

 

Journal checker transitional agreement result image

A Transitional Agreement is a publishing agreement institutions can join to enable funded authors to publish in compliance with your research funders open access policy. This result indicates your institution has such an agreement in place.

What to do next:

  • Conditions regarding the use and coverage of any Transitional Agreements the library has signed up to can be found on our publishers agreements page. 

 

Journal checker tool transformative journal result image

A Transformative Journal is an individual title that has taken steps to be compliant with most research funders open access policies. This result indicates the chosen journal is a transformative journal. A complete list of journals currently considered transformative can be found on the Sherpa Romeo service transformative journal page.

What to do next:

 

Journal checker tool hybrid journal result image

This journal is a hybrid journal publishing both subscription and open access articles, but is not part of a Transitional publishing agreement or considered a transformative journal. You can publish and be compliant with most research funders open access policies if the publisher allows a CC BY open access licence, but any open access publishing charges can not be paid from any research funder open access block grants awarded to the library for the support of their open access policies. 

What to do next:

  • Publish your research under an open access CC BY licence and either cover the fees yourself or contact Open Research Services for advice on whether the publisher offers a waiver scheme. 
  • Try an alternative title to publish with.
Journal checker tool self archiving result image

This result means the publisher will allow you to comply with your funders self-archiving requirements providing your have informed the publisher of your research funders rights retention policy. Open access publishing charges do not apply with this route.

What to do next:

  • Deposit your final accepted manuscript via Elements to be placed in the University open access repository (QMRO) or other open access repository.
  • Ensure your have provided the publisher details of your research funders rights retention statement as explained on our research funders page.

 

 

Journal checker tool self archiving option 2 result image

You are able to comply with your research funder's policy through Self-archiving. This result means the publisher will allow you to deposit your final accepted manuscript in an open access repository with no embargo and under a CC BY open access licence.  Open access publishing charges do not apply with this route.

What to do next:

There are currently no publishing options that will enable you to comply with your funder's policy.

There are several options open to you:

  • Repeat your search with an alternative journal.
  • If your research was funded by multiple Plan S funders, repeat your search using the name of one of the other funders as results may vary by funder. 
  • If you or one of your co-authors are affiliated with different institutions, repeat your search with these alternative institutions as one of your collaborator’s institutions may have a transformative agreement with the journal.
  • Seek to self-archive the Author Accepted Manuscript with a compliant licence in an OA repository. Open access publishing charges do not apply with this route.

For more information please contact Open Research Services.

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