About the features of open access

25.10.2017

The Acting Director of the Scientific Library of LTSNU Maria M. Pochinkova spoke about the features of open access.

Recently, our University hosted the solemn opening of the International Open Access Week, the concept of which is becoming more relevant in our time. The Acing Director of the Scientific Library M.N. Pochinkova told us about how Luhansk Taras Shevchenko National University implemented such actions.

• Maria Mykolaivna, recently events devoted to the International Open Access Week began at our University. Tell us, please, what is the main purpose of this event and how relevant is it nowadays?

We are glad that attracted attention to our event! Its goal is to attract various user audiences across the country to a consistent acquaintance with the possibilities of open access. At our University, we would like to raise awareness about open access, demonstrate the benefits of scientific activity provided by open databases, share experiences, and use open resources.

• What are the main ways of implementing the project today?

First of all, this awareness of the need for openness. We must understand that by opening access to scientific data, we open opportunities for ourselves, and then for others. On our part, this project is implemented through a repository, which is our open database. It should be noted that open data is not only a regular format – articles, manuals, textbooks, abstracts, dissertations. This includes questionnaires, their results, development of classes, lectures, presentations and much more. After all, there is an opportunity to have not only text documents, but also video and audio materials. In particular, the Lysychansk Pedagogical College has already posted such data in the university repository. But I would like all our scientists to join this project.

• The notion of open access is widely discussed among researchers and scholars. What, in your opinion, are its main advantages?

The main advantages are visibility of publications, promotion of academic integrity, accessibility of global scientific research. It should also be noted that participation in any international grant is impossible without the scientist having open data on his research.

• The international movement calls for quick and open access to scientific and educational materials. Will this not be an obstacle to academic integrity?

I think, on the contrary. Openness contributes to academic honesty. You conduct a study, show it in stages, everyone sees your results. During the seminar at the Kiev-Mohyla Academy, we were told about the case when, thanks to open data, American students exposed their professor, who falsified the data for almost 20 years. Therefore, talk about the interference of academic integrity is not worth it.

• Open access in our time is rapidly gaining popularity among young people. What opportunities does this movement open for students?

The pluses for students coincide with the pluses for scientists. They can use open data for their own research, easily find like-minded people, spread the results of research in the world scientific community and thereby achieve high results, participate in international grants.

• Librarians of the international community actively support the Open Access movement. How does the library of our University join this action?

Our first step was to restore the work of the university repository. This year, for the first time, we hold events dedicated to the International Open Access Week, which will be held in our library throughout the week. We will not limit ourselves to this week alone. Open access promotion will continue. In particular, cooperation with Wikimedia, active involvement of our students and teachers in cooperation with the multilingual network encyclopedia “Wikipedia”; holding seminars with world-class experts on openness (I’ll tell you one secret: this first meeting will take place in November), registration of our repository in global databases and the like. Thank you for showing interest in our events!

Summing up the story of Maria M. Pochinkova, we can state that the successful implementation of open access to the activities of higher education institutions will be the key for the development of new trends in the sphere of educational services.

Oleg Chernysh, Press Center of LTSNU