What is the main characteristic of Open Access Journals?

Open Access Journals are defined by their model of providing free and unrestricted access to research articles. This means that anyone can read, download, and share these articles without a subscription or payment barrier. The revenue model for these journals typically relies on publication fees charged to authors or their institutions, which helps cover the costs associated with the peer review process, editorial management, and other journal operations.

This unrestricted access is fundamental to the Open Access movement, which aims to promote knowledge dissemination and equity in research. By allowing free access, these journals enable a wider audience, including researchers, practitioners, and the general public, to engage with scientific literature, thereby fostering collaboration and innovation across disciplines.

The other options presented do not align with the principles of Open Access. For instance, requiring a subscription for access contradicts the very essence of Open Access journals. Limiting acceptance of articles to established researchers is not a defining characteristic either, as many Open Access platforms welcome contributions from new and emerging researchers. Also, stating that these journals are available exclusively in print format fails to acknowledge that many Open Access journals are predominantly digital, often with no print counterpart.